This study aimed to determine the effect of depression between the healthrelated quality of life and pain in elderly persons with physical disabilities. A total of 111 patients who were treated at hospital B (Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Busan) participated in the Survey. The SF-36 Health Assessment was used to determine the quality of life of subjects, the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form to assess the level of depression, and Numeric Rating Scale to determine the level of pain. To determine the moderating effect of depression on the relationship between quality of life and pain, simple regression analysis, and the Sobel test were performed. There was a significant negative correlation between health-related quality of life and pain (r<-.3, p<.05), and a significant positive correlation between depression and pain (r=.251, p<.05). Thus, health-related quality of life had a simple regression relationship with depression and pain. Depression also showed a mediating effect between health-related quality of life and pain. The results of this study suggest that depression mediates between pain and quality of life.

This paper offers an approach to physical therapy and rehabilitation procedure for the temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). Forms of physical therapy are used in the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions that include TMD joint disorders. However, there still remains a void in the study as to the various rehabilitative protocols used on those patients with TMD. Recent evidence in clinical trials show that physical therapy is helpful for patients with TMD. Exercise programs designed to improve physical fitness had beneficial effects on TMD pain and dysfunction. This study establishes treatment procedures of physical therapy and provides a method of evaluation for patients with TMD disorders.