Depression and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Herniated Disc Surgery: Relevant but Underresearched – A Systematic Review

Abstract

Little research has been done to investigate depression and anxiety in patients undergoing surgery for a herniated disc. Evidently disc surgery patients are at higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety than the general population. The review outlines the importance for clinicians to be more sensitive to psychological concerns in patients undergoing disc surgery. Psychological assessment and assistance from mental health professionals should be considered during the hospital stay and rehabilitation period, depending on local feasibility. Further investigations are necessary to examine whether the implementation of a multidisciplinary in-patient treatment program will improve postoperative outcome in patients undergoing intervertebral disc surgery.

The course of depression and anxiety in patients undergoing disc surgery: A longitudinal observational study

“…This implies that compared to our study results the depression rates found by Guilfoyle et al [29] might be even higher, whereas anxiety rates might be lower right before surgery. Comparing our results to the findings of Graver et al [30], their anxiety rates of 38% [13,30] right before disc surgery seem much higher. But taking to account that Graver et al [30] used a lower cut-off value, their rates might really be analogous to the results presented in this study.…”

“…The few studies referring to depression and anxiety in disc surgery patients show that a large number of individuals suffer from relevant psychological symptoms [13]. These findings underline the importance of investigating the course of depression and anxiety over time.…”

“…A recent review [13] revealed that only a small number of studies investigated depression and anxiety rates in patients undergoing herniated disc surgery. Only five studies could be identified using a longitudinal study design to present the change of depression in the course of time [13]. Merely one study used a longitudinal design to investigate anxiety rates in disc surgery patients in the course of time [13].…”

“…Only five studies could be identified using a longitudinal study design to present the change of depression in the course of time [13]. Merely one study used a longitudinal design to investigate anxiety rates in disc surgery patients in the course of time [13]. None of the reviewed studies made comparisons between depression and anxiety rates in the disc surgery sample and the general population.…”

Short Psychological Intervention as a Perioperative Pain Reduction Treatment in Spinal Neurosurgery

“…8,26,43,44 Some studies have shown that preoperatively increased levels of fear in patients can result in less positive postoperative outcomes. 15,44,52 High levels of fear may increase the risk of pain becoming chronic and may prolong the period of work restriction. 15,33,52 In line with these studies it was found that fear-avoidance beliefs can be predictive of surgery outcomes because preoperative anxiety and uncertainty can negatively affect postoperative recovery variables and impact negatively on mental and physical recovery after surgery.…”