Functionality and symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in patients who underwent surgical repair of the flexor tendons of the hand

• Grant number: 24/19354-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Marisa de Cássia Registro Fonseca
• Grantee: Beatriz Pontes Barbosa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The hand is an important body structure for the individual's interaction with the environment, also used for communication, expressiveness and creativity. Thus, flexor tendon injuries not only cause loss of physical autonomy but can also generate psychological, emotional and quality of life impacts. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the functional results obtained after surgical repair of the flexor tendons in the hand and the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in patients undergoing rehabilitation. This is a prospective cohort study and the sample will consist of volunteers who underwent surgical repair of the flexor tendons of the hand at least ten weeks ago. The functional evaluation of the hand will be performed using the Quick-DASH-Br questionnaire and the Jebsen-Taylor Functional Hand Test. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) will be applied to assess symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. It is expected to find an association between unsatisfactory functional results and worse results regarding the screening of symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression, in addition to better performance in functional tests related to better scores in self-report questionnaires.