Depression, quality of life, and exercise capacity in a cardiac rehabilitation population

Abstract

This study determined the prevalence of depression and observed the effects of depression on exercise adherence, exercise capacity and quality of life (QOL) in a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) population. A descriptive, correlational design was used with a sample size of forty. The Beck Depression Inventory and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-ltem Short-Form Survey was administered and exercise capacity was determined upon entry and 12 weeks after the start of CR. Twenty-three percent of the subjects were depressed initially and 17% were depressed after CR. No significant difference was found between the depressed and nondepressed groups respectively in exercise adherence (83% vs. 81 %), change in exercise capacity (106 vs.109 kcal.) or change in QOL (11.1 vs. 16.5). Quality of life was significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = -0.5). Screening for depression is recommended before and after CR.