Physical Therapy for Depression Quality of Life (Pilot Study Protocol)

Change in Quality of Life

Change in the score on the European quality of life questionnaire or EuroQol 5-Dimension 3-Level Spanish version questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). The EQ-5D-3L health questionnaire is a questionnaire that can be self-administered or conducted through an interview, which allows for assessing the health status in relation to various patient dimensions (mobility, pain, mental health, etc.). It consists of 5 questions with 3 response options (good health = 1, some problems = 2, or health problem = 3), where the responses are coded and coefficients are applied according to the responses to obtain a reference value; and on the other hand, it consists of a 20-centimeter vertical visual analogue scale, with values from 0 = worst health state to 100 = best health state, where the patient indicates the current perceived health value. It is a validated tool widely used in health and research.

Change in Severity of Depressive Symptoms

Change in the score on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Spanish version. It is a scale used clinically for the detection and severity assessment of major depressive disorder. It consists of 10 questions administered to the interviewee regarding cognitive and affective/emotional symptoms, with response values ranging from 0 to 6 (0 = lowest level of symptomatology and 6 = highest level of symptomatology). Its interpretation is as follows: 0-6 points, no depression; 7-19 points, mild depression; 20-34 points, moderate depression; and 35-60 points, severe depression.

Change in Pain Intensity

Change in the score on the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The NRS scale for pain assessment is a scale that measures the intensity of pain experienced by the patient. It is a numerical rating scale where the patient is asked to rate their pain between 0 and 10. The reported values are classified as follows: no pain = 0; mild pain = 1,2; moderate pain = 3-5; severe pain = 6-8; unbearable pain = 9-10.

Change in General Self-Efficacy

Change in the score on the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) Spanish version. The Spanish version of the General Self-efficacy Scale consists of a 10-item questionnaire that measures an individual's perception of their own abilities to manage their life in stressful situations. For each question, the respondent answers using a Likert scale where the response is scored as 1 = completely disagree and 5 = completely agree. A score between 27 and 38 points is considered an average level of self-efficacy. Higher scores indicate a greater perceived self-efficacy.

Healthcare Satisfaction Level

Score on the Health Care Satisfaction Survey for People with Chronic Illness (GCPC-UN-ESU). It contains 19 items with 4 dimensions: care, health education, the quality of the service provided, and the level of loyalty to the service. Each item is scored between 1 (not at all satisfied) and 5 (extremely satisfied). Higher scores indicate greater satisfaction.

Focus Group Data: Qualitative Exploration of Patient Experiences and Perceptions in a Physical Therapy Program for Major Depressive Disorder

This qualitative outcome measure will use focus groups to explore the experiences and perceptions of patients with major depressive disorder participating in a physical therapy program. Patient narratives will detail their experience with the illness, their condition management strategies, and the barriers and facilitators encountered during the program. Data, collected via audio recordings and field notes from trained researchers, will undergo thematic analysis. Anticipated themes include experiences with physical therapy, perceived impact on symptoms, coping strategies, support systems, adherence factors, facilitators to recovery, and suggestions for program improvement. Qualitative findings will provide context to quantitative results.

Focus Group Data: Qualitative Exploration of Professional Perspectives on Implementing a Physical Therapy Program for Major Depressive Disorder

This qualitative outcome measure will use focus groups to explore the experiences and perspectives of healthcare professionals involved in a physical therapy program for patients with major depressive disorder. Professional narratives will detail their perspectives on managing patients with the illness, their observations of patient condition management strategies, and the barriers and facilitators they encountered during the program's implementation. Data, collected via audio recordings and field notes from trained researchers, will undergo thematic analysis. Anticipated themes include experiences with implementing the physical therapy program, perceived impact on patients, interprofessional collaboration, resource utilization, adherence factors from the professionals' point of view, facilitators to program delivery, and suggestions for program improvement. Qualitative findings will provide context to quantitative results.