Correlation Between Functional Mobility and Depression Among Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with motor impairment and non-motor symptoms, including depressive symptoms that may worsen functional independence and quality of life. Functional mobility limitation and depressive symptom burden frequently coexist, but their clinical relationship requires further evaluation in local Parkinson’s disease populations. Objective: To determine the correlation between functional mobility and depressive symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s disease and to examine secondary associations with age and gender. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 130 clinically diagnosed patients with Parkinson’s disease recruited from Mayo Hospital and Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go test, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Coded Timed Up and Go and HADS depression scores were analyzed using non-parametric procedures because both variables showed significant departure from normality. Spearman’s rank-order correlation and Mann–Whitney U testing were applied, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The sample included 74 males and 56 females, with a mean age of 60.95 ± 10.88 years. Timed Up and Go score showed a strong positive correlation with HADS depression score (ρ = 0.833, p < 0.001). Age showed a weak positive correlation with Timed Up and Go score (ρ = 0.194, p = 0.027), while gender-based comparison of HADS depression scores was not statistically significant (U = 1814.00, p = 0.197). Conclusion: Functional mobility limitation was strongly associated with depressive symptom burden among patients with Parkinson’s disease. Integrated assessment of mobility and psychological symptoms may improve rehabilitation planning and clinical monitoring.