Effects of Depression Screening on Outcomes in Patients with Neck Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Document Type
Abstract
Start Date
28-4-2026 3:30 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 4:45 PM
Description
Introduction: Depression is associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, yet limited research has examined how depression screening scores relate to functional recovery in patients receiving outpatient physical therapy for mechanical neck pain. Purpose To determine whether depression screening scores at initial evaluation are associated with functional outcomes at discharge in patients treated conservatively for mechanical neck pain.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 6,456 patients (mean age 53.3 ± 16.0 years; 73.8% female) treated in 190 outpatient orthopedic clinics over a year. At baseline, patients completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), a brief depression screening tool, and the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) neck functional status measure, which assesses patient-reported physical function. Linear regression examined associations between PHQ-2 scores and discharge FOTO scores, accounting for baseline FOTO, age, sex, BMI, and number of visits.
Results: Intake FOTO explained 19% of the variance in discharge FOTO (β = 0.47, p < 0.001). Covariates age, sex, BMI, and number of visits were significant and accounted for an additional 2% of variance (ΔR² = 0.02). PHQ-2 (β = −0.095, p < 0.001) only explained an additional 1% of variance.
Discussion: Depression screening scores at intake were poor predictors of functional outcomes in patients with mechanical neck pain. Screening may still facilitate interdisciplinary referral and coordinated care. These findings highlight challenges translating screening tools validated in controlled settings into routine clinical practice. Future research should incorporate more comprehensive depression measures and longitudinal psychological assessment.
Recommended Citation
Grismal, Cristin; Sherrick, Audrey; Melancon, Rachael; and Lecoq, Jakobe, "Effects of Depression Screening on Outcomes in Patients with Neck Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 10.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/presentations/10
Effects of Depression Screening on Outcomes in Patients with Neck Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Introduction: Depression is associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, yet limited research has examined how depression screening scores relate to functional recovery in patients receiving outpatient physical therapy for mechanical neck pain. Purpose To determine whether depression screening scores at initial evaluation are associated with functional outcomes at discharge in patients treated conservatively for mechanical neck pain.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 6,456 patients (mean age 53.3 ± 16.0 years; 73.8% female) treated in 190 outpatient orthopedic clinics over a year. At baseline, patients completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), a brief depression screening tool, and the Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes (FOTO) neck functional status measure, which assesses patient-reported physical function. Linear regression examined associations between PHQ-2 scores and discharge FOTO scores, accounting for baseline FOTO, age, sex, BMI, and number of visits.
Results: Intake FOTO explained 19% of the variance in discharge FOTO (β = 0.47, p < 0.001). Covariates age, sex, BMI, and number of visits were significant and accounted for an additional 2% of variance (ΔR² = 0.02). PHQ-2 (β = −0.095, p < 0.001) only explained an additional 1% of variance.
Discussion: Depression screening scores at intake were poor predictors of functional outcomes in patients with mechanical neck pain. Screening may still facilitate interdisciplinary referral and coordinated care. These findings highlight challenges translating screening tools validated in controlled settings into routine clinical practice. Future research should incorporate more comprehensive depression measures and longitudinal psychological assessment.