Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has many features that can potentially trigger and increase chronic pain. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the pandemic on pain, physical activity and anxiety in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, in both periods of isolation and controlled social life.

Methods: Seventy one individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain were included in the study. Three different periods (pre-pandemic, isolation and controlled social life) were evaluated and analyzed. Pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)), coronavirus anxiety (Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form (CAS-SF)), and physical activity level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF)) were evaluated.

Results: The VAS resting score was significantly higher during the isolation compared to the pre-pandemic period (p = 0.002). The VAS activity score was significantly higher in the isolation period compared to both pre-pandemic (p <0.001) and controlled social life periods (p <0.001). The lowest IPAQ-SF score (p <0.001) and the longest sitting time (p <0.001) were in the isolation period. The CAS-SF scores were significantly higher in the isolation period compared to the controlled social life period (p <0.001).

Conclusion: While the measures taken during the isolation period had negative impacts on the severity of pain, physical activity and anxiety levels in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain, gradual deconfinement in the controlled social life period led to a decrease in pain intensity and anxiety and an increase in physical activity.