Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Jun;15(6):e70517.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.70517.

Adjustment Disorders and Quality of Life in Patients With Tracheostomy and Tracheal Cannula: A Scoping Review

Andrea Calderone  1 , Francesco Corallo  2 , Davide Cardile  2 , Carmela Rifici  2 , Fabrizia Caminiti  2 , Valeria Conti-Nibali  2 , Serena Filoni  3 , Rocco Salvatore Calabrò  2
Affiliations

Adjustment Disorders and Quality of Life in Patients With Tracheostomy and Tracheal Cannula: A Scoping Review

Andrea Calderone et al. Brain Behav. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Tracheostomy (TCT) surgery and subsequent tracheal cannula (TC) insertion involve several physical, communicative, and psychological changes for the patient. Decreased mood and dysfunctional states such as morbid anxiety, depression, and stress are often experienced in these clinical situations, and affect the quality of life (QoL) and the rehabilitation process. This review aims to examine the studies in the literature on adjustment disorders (AjD) in patients with TCT or TC and how this affects their QoL during the rehabilitation process.

Methods: Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases. Studies published between 2013-2023 were selected. This review has been registered on OSF (n): DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/RHX3J.

Results: TCT patients were found to experience AjD in terms of anxiety, depression, and stress, which may have a significant impact on QoL and the recovery/extubation time during long-term rehabilitation.

Conclusions: The AjD must be considered seriously and carefully during the rehabilitation process in tracheostomized patients, as it can have significant repercussions on the QoL and caregivers. The rehabilitation path must consider the problems linked to this condition: physical, communicative, and psychological.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; quality of life; rehabilitation; stress; tracheostomy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
PRISMA 2020 flow diagram of evaluated studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Aung, W. T. , Ong N. Y., Yeo S. Q. C., et al. 2025. “Impact of Pediatric Tracheostomy on Family Caregivers' Burden and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.” Front Public Health 12: 1485544. 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1485544. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ayers, M. E. 1999. “Assessing and Treating Open Head Trauma, Coma, and Stroke Using Real‐Time Digital EEG Neurofeedback.” In Introduction to Quantitative EEG and Neurofeedback: 203–222.
    1. Bachem, R. , and Casey P. 2018. “Adjustment Disorder: A Diagnosis Whose Time Has Come.” Journal of Affective Disorders 227: 243–253. - PubMed
    1. Blecha, S. , Brandl M., Zeman F., et al. ; DACAPO Study Group . 2020. “Tracheostomy in Patients With Acute respiratory Distress Syndrome is Not Related to Quality of Life, Symptoms of Psychiatric Disorders or Return‐to‐Work: The Prospective DACAPO Cohort Study.” Annals of Intensive Care 10, no. 1: 52. 10.1186/s13613-020-00671-x. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bonvento, B. , Wallace S., Lynch J., Coe B., and McGrath B. A. 2017. “Role of the Multidisciplinary Team in the Care of the Tracheostomy Patient.” Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 10: 391–398. 10.2147/JMDH.S118419. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources