Mental Health and Corresponding Interventions for Persons With Physical Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Individuals with physical disabilities often face body function and structure limitations, which can increase their vulnerability to mental health problems. This scoping review, conducted in accordance with the methodological framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, aimed to synthesize evidence on the mental health challenges experienced by individuals with physical disabilities and to identify promising interventions for addressing these issues. A systematic literature search was performed across the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from their inception until December 31, 2021. A total of 33 studies were included in the final analysis. The findings identified depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, and psychological distress as prevalent mental health concerns within this population. Notably, considerable heterogeneity was observed across the included studies regarding sample sizes, assessment methodologies, and overall representativeness. The identified interventions were categorized into five primary domains: psychotherapy, physical therapy, recreational therapy, group‐based training, and multimodal treatment approaches. Specific modalities, including acceptance and commitment therapy, recreational therapies, and internet‐based interventions, demonstrated potential efficacy in improving psychological outcomes. In conclusion, the management of mental health in individuals with physical disabilities presents significant ongoing challenges. While emerging interventions show therapeutic promise, the current evidence base is constrained by a preponderance of small‐scale studies and a paucity of robust randomized controlled trials necessary to definitively evaluate their effectiveness and implementation feasibility.