title: The influence of optimism on functionality after total hip replacement surgery.
abstract: Among other factors, optimism has been shown to significantly influence the course of some diseases (cancer, HIV, coronary heart disease). This study investigated whether optimism of a patient before a total hip replacement can predict the functionality of the lower limbs 3 and 6 months after surgery. A total of 325 patients took part in the study (age: 58.7 years; w: 55%). The functionality was measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities arthrosis index, and optimism with the Life Orientation Test. To analyse the influences of age, gender and optimism, general linear models were calculated. In optimistic patients, functionality improved significantly over time. The study showed a clear influence of dispositional optimism on the recovery after total hip replacement in the first 3 months after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Dresden, Germany friedrich.balck@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balck
authors.affiliation: Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lippmann
authors.affiliation: Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Hospital Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Csilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jeszenszky
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics, University Hospital Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Orthopedics, University Hospital Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirschner
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000067656:Optimism / Q000523:psychology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: WOMAC; functionality; optimism; pessimism; recovery after total hip replacement