Coronaphobia, musculoskeletal pain, and sleep quality in stay-at home and continued-working persons during the 3-month Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in Turkey

Digital human ergonomics training for remote office workers: Comparing a novel method to a traditional online format

OBJECTIVE

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of an online ergonomics training program with a digital human compared to an online ergonomics training program without a digital human.

METHOD

Remote office workers (n = 138) were randomly assigned to either a digital human training, a traditional webpage training without a digital human, or a control group. Musculoskeletal discomfort, knowledge retention, and behavior change were measured.

RESULTS

The overall group differences for increased behavior change and knowledge retention were statistically significant (p < 0.05). For knowledge retention, the digital human training group showed comparable improvement in knowledge scores compared to the traditional training group. For behavior scores, the traditional training showed improvement compared to the control group. Decreases in musculoskeletal discomfort for all groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Digital humans have the potential to meet large-scale remote worker training needs.

Chronic Neck Pain Prevalence Before and After COVID-19 Restrictions and Its Relationship With Digital Device Screen Viewing: A Population Study

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of chronic neck pain (CNP) among the adult population in Peru during the post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restriction period compared with that during the pre-pandemic period and evaluate its association with prolonged digital devices connected to the internet (DDCI) screen viewing.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using a representative sample of adults living in Peru in November 2022. A structured survey was employed to identify CNP, and the exposure variable was set as the duration of DDCI screen viewing. The McNemar test was used to compare CNP prevalence pre- and post-COVID-19 restrictions, and ordinal logistic regression was used to evaluate its association with prolonged screen viewing.

RESULTS

A total of 1,202 individuals participated, with 52.8% females and 79.9% residing in urban areas. Following the restrictions, the prevalence of CNP occurring daily or almost daily and at least once a week was 14.8% and 27.8%, respectively (95% confidence Interval [95% CI], 12.6-17.3 and 24.9-30.9), representing a significant increase (p<0.001) compared with pre-pandemic estimates. Notably, among those viewing DDCI screens for ≥8 hours, the odds ratio for CNP frequency escalation compared with those who did not or rarely view screens was 1.61 (95% CI, 1.04-2.50; p=0.033).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 4 of 10 adults in Peru experienced CNP following the lifting of COVID-19 social restrictions, more than double the pre-pandemic prevalence. Furthermore, prolonged viewing of DDCI screens increased the risk of having this condition.

Assessment of physical activity levels and back pain among poles and Portuguese in the further year of the COVID-19 pandemic - a pilot study

BACKGROUND

The vast majority of people have experienced the problem of back pain at least once in their lives for a variety of reasons. It is well known that regular physical activity at a moderate level has a number of health benefits regardless of age or gender with positive effects on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory or nervous systems improving fitness levels. During the pandemic, Poland experienced one of the longest periods of school lockdown in Europe. In Portugal, this period was considerably shorter. The aim of this study was to determine the level of physical activity and back pain as well as relationship between physical activity and back pain in a group of Polish and Portuguese students in the following year the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

The study was conducted via the Internet among students from Poland and Portugal (398 respondents - 229 from Poland and 169 from Portugal) in October 2022. In the pilot study, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and The Oswestry Disability Index and Neck Disability Index questionnaires were used to assess the level of back pain.

RESULTS

There are no statistically significant differences in the level of physical activity and pain complaints of respondents from the two countries. At least half of the students do not report any pain complaints (median in some groups being 0). In the Portuguese men, there is a correlation between the level of physical activity and the Neck Disability Index score (p = 0.0304).

CONCLUSIONS

The following year, after the pandemic COVID-19 was declared, the prevalence of back pain among students in Poland and Portugal is still significant.

Effect of an online posture exercise program during the COVID-19 pandemic on students' musculoskeletal pain and quality of life

BACKGROUND

Prolonged sitting and poor posture can contribute to musculoskeletal pain and have a negative effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among young adults. Any prolonged posture leads to static loading of soft tissues and causes discomfort. Seated posture leads to inactivity causing an accumulation of metabolites, accelerating disk degeneration and musculoskeletal pain. Regular exercise has major contributions to the prevention and treatment of some health problems such as musculoskeletal disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of online posture exercises on musculoskeletal pain and health related quality of life among university students receiving distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial involved 72 students divided into intervention (n= 35) and control (n= 37) groups. The intervention group followed an 8-week online stretching and posture exercise program. Baseline and 8-week results were measured using the SF-36 QoL Questionnaire and Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ).

RESULTS

Students spent an average of 5.4 ± 2.5 hours daily at computers. While there was no difference between the scores of any region in the CMDQ in the control group, there was a decrease in the neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, waist, left upper leg, right lower leg, and left lower leg discomfort scores in the intervention group (p< 0.05). There was a significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the total score of SF-36 and the sub-dimensions of vitality and mental health (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The online posture exercise program led to notable reductions in musculoskeletal pain and improvements in QoL among university students. Examining the effectiveness of online exercise programs in different age groups is important for health benefits during quarantines.

The impact of COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on musculoskeletal health: a systematic review

There is limited empirical evidence on whether Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related lockdown restrictions precipitate or perpetuate musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. This study was aimed to synthesis literature that assessed the impact of COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions on MSK health. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies meeting the following criteria were included in the review: the condition being considered was MSK health, the intervention was COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions, cross sectional studies, cohort studies, case controlled, prospective studies and retrospective studies. Data were extracted by 2 independent researchers. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. Evidence from included studies was summarised using narrative synthesis. Fourteen studies comprising 22,471 participants of the general population from Turkey (n = 5), Italy (n = 1), Poland (n = 1), Australia (n = 2), Jordan (n = 1), Bangladesh (n = 1), Estonia (n = 1), the Netherlands (n = 1) and Saudi Arabia (n = 1) have met the inclusion criteria. The sample size of populations studied ranged from 91 to 1054. The included studies used questionnaire, visual analogic scale, or growth mixture modelling. Except for one study, all the included studies reported increased prevalence and incidence of MSK disorders due to COVID-19 related lockdown restrictions. The findings suggest that COVID-19 related lockdown restriction led to increased MSK disorders. Home-based strategies such as physical activity programmes and ergonomic workspace could potentially guide public health authorities to avoid MSK health problem.

Psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain in manual therapists during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on healthcare, and the health of healthcare workers has been subject of much research. However, studies of health-related factors in manual therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. Research in this field can provide valuable insights for future crises policy and guidelines, including in regions where the public health response to COVID-19 contrasts with that of most other international jurisdictions. The aim was to describe the prevalence of psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain, and to investigate factors potentially associated with high psychological distress and activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain in clinically active chiropractors and naprapaths during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was distributed to a representative sample of Swedish manual therapists, between November 2020 and January 2021. High psychological distress and activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain were investigated regarding associations with residing in a municipality with a high spread of infection, a previous/ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection, clinical interferences and economic consequences associated with the pandemic. Generalized Linear Models with log link and binomial distribution were used, computing prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

A total of 762 participants were included, representing 46% of the source population. The prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms was 17%, 7%, and 12%, respectively. Neck (50%), low back (46%), upper back (40%), and shoulders (39%) were the most prevalent musculoskeletal pain areas. Economic consequences due to the pandemic were associated with high psychological distress (PR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.48-3.53).

CONCLUSIONS

During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden, manual therapists primarily suffered from musculoskeletal pain related to the back and shoulders, while depressive symptoms were the most common symptom of psychological distress. Owners of businesses that suffered economic consequences had a higher prevalence of high psychological distress, which may call for targeted support of this group in future similar contexts. Future longitudinal studies during the pandemic are warranted to assess these associations further.

The Onset of Musculoskeletal Pain in the COVID-19 Era: A Survey of Physiotherapy Students in Sicily

Online teaching has resulted in university students adopting a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity due to pandemic restrictions have led to musculoskeletal pain in various body areas, significantly impacting students' quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effects of remote learning on Sicilian physiotherapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain. An observational study was conducted using an online survey administered through Google Forms. The survey consisted of 26 multiple-choice questions and was distributed to students enrolled in physiotherapy programs at the universities of Catania, Messina, and Palermo. Participants were contacted via social channels or email, and data collection spanned 5 weeks. The collected data were analyzed using R software. A total of 128 questionnaires were collected. At the time of compilation, most respondents (n = 103/201, 51.2%) were enrolled in the third year of the course of study in physiotherapy at the universities of Catania, Messina, and Palermo. Their ages ranged between 22 and 25 years (43.3%), and most were female (n = 104/201, 51.7%). More than half of the students (51.6%) reported dedicating 15-22 h per week to distance learning for a duration of 6-12 months (50%). Regarding study location, most students preferred studying at a desk (82.8%), and slightly over half (57.8%) adopted a backrest while studying remotely. Analysis of the students' posture during study hours revealed common positions, including tilting the head forward by more than 20 degrees (47.8%), leaning the trunk forward by more than 20 degrees (71.9%), hunching both shoulders forward (57.0%), wrists positioned above the level of the elbows (46.1%), thighs pointing upwards (41.4%), and one or both feet in a downward or dorsiflexed position (69.5%). In conclusion the questionnaire responses indicate that the lifestyle of university students, influenced by online teaching, has deteriorated, leading to musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial pain. These results are primarily influenced by the adopted posture and the duration of time spent in these positions. Additionally, research is needed to identify the most effective therapeutic approaches for managing musculoskeletal pain.

Musculoskeletal pain post-COVID-19 in patients undergoing physical therapy in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic has posed a challenge to the physical therapy service. In addition to pandemic-associated treatment interference, many recovered COVID-19 patients developed new or worsening musculoskeletal pain as a sequela of COVID-19, which has been shown to affect the musculoskeletal system. The objective of the study was to examine musculoskeletal pain post-COVID-19 in patients undergoing physical therapy in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

The design of the study was a cross-sectional study. We approached patients attending physical therapy clinics who had COVID-19. Data were collected through an electronic survey consisting of multiple-choice questions related to sociodemographic data and pain. Pain severity was rated on a 10-point numerical rating scale.

RESULTS

A total of 85 recovered COVID-19 patients participated in this study, 30 had musculoskeletal pain prior to getting COVID-19, while 55 acquired it after. The most affected sites for musculoskeletal pain were the lower back and shoulder. Mean pain levels reported increased from 4.48 ± 2.54 pre-COVID-19 to 6.92 ± 8.06 post-COVID-19 (mean difference, 1.61 ± 2.61; t = 5.68; p < 0.0001). Mean pain scores did not associate significantly with demographic or clinical factors. Patient responses skewed toward increased pain as well as decreased activity levels after being infected with COVID-19 versus pre-COVID-19 (all p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Recovered COVID-19 patients reported increased pain intensity and frequency, together with reduced activity levels, relative to pre-COVID-19 levels, without effects of sociodemographic or clinical characteristics.

Factors associated with the incidence and worsening of back pain during the first wave of COVID-19 in Brazil

Abstract The article aims to estimate the incidence and worsening of back pain (BP) during the first wave of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to investigate demographic, socioeconomic factors and associated changes in living conditions. ConVid - Behavior Research, applied between April and May 2020, was used as data source. The number and distribution of respondents who developed BP and those who had a worsening of the preexisting problem, their 95% confidence intervals and Pearson’s Chi-square test were estimated. The odds ratio of developing BP or worsening a preexisting problem was also estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Pre-existing BP was reported by 33.9% (95%CI 32.5-35.3) of respondents and more than half (54.4%; 95%CI 51.9-56.9) had worsened. The cumulative incidence of BP in the first wave of the pandemic was 40.9% (95%CI 39.2-42.7). Being a woman, the perceived increase in housework and the frequent feeling of sadness or depression were associated with both outcomes. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with any of outcome. The high incidence and worsening of BP during the first wave reveal the need for studies in more recent periods, given the long duration of the pandemic.

Factors associated with the incidence and worsening of back pain during the first wave of COVID-19 in Brazil

The article aims to estimate the incidence and worsening of back pain (BP) during the first wave of COVID-19 in Brazil, as well as to investigate demographic, socioeconomic factors and associated changes in living conditions. ConVid - Behavior Research, applied between April and May 2020, was used as data source. The number and distribution of respondents who developed BP and those who had a worsening of the preexisting problem, their 95% confidence intervals and Pearson's Chi-square test were estimated. The odds ratio of developing BP or worsening a preexisting problem was also estimated using multiple logistic regression models. Pre-existing BP was reported by 33.9% (95%CI 32.5-35.3) of respondents and more than half (54.4%; 95%CI 51.9-56.9) had worsened. The cumulative incidence of BP in the first wave of the pandemic was 40.9% (95%CI 39.2-42.7). Being a woman, the perceived increase in housework and the frequent feeling of sadness or depression were associated with both outcomes. Socioeconomic factors were not associated with any of outcome. The high incidence and worsening of BP during the first wave reveal the need for studies in more recent periods, given the long duration of the pandemic.

Remote work and back pain during the COVID-19 pandemic in adults and older population in South Brazil

This article aims to investigate the association between remote work and Back Pain during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to analyze this relationship according to the body mass index. Population-based, cross-sectional study carried in two cities in southern Brazil, in individuals aged 18 years and over. Data were collected through household interviews from October to January 2020/21. Outcomes: back pain (cervical, thoracic, lumbar/acute, chronic) and pain intensity. Exposure variable: remote work. For the analyses, Poisson regression with robust adjustment for variance was used, stratified by BMI (eutrophic vs overweight/obese), and restricted to those who had worked in the past month. 1,016 had worked during the pandemic, average 42 years old (SD = 14), varying from 18 to 93 years. Remote work was performed by 7.7% of the individuals. Prevalence of back pain: 25.6% (95%CI: 19.5 to 31.7%). Overweight/obese remote workers felt pain acute cervical pain PR = 2.82 (95%CI: 1.15 to 6.92); chronic low back PR = 1.85 (95%CI: 1.04 to 3.29); acute thoracic PR = 1.81(95%CI: 3.76 to 8.68) compared to those who did not work. About one in four remote workers reported back pain during of the COVID-19 pandemic. BMI proved to be an important moderator between outcomes and exposure variable.

Work from home-related musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review

Objective

This rapid review explores the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted a rapid review across three databases (i.e., PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL) for observational studies that report on the musculoskeletal functions among individuals placed in a work from home setup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, published between December 2019-August 2021. Two independent review authors searched, appraised, and extracted data from the articles included in the final review. A descriptive approach was used to synthesize the narrative evidence.

Results

Forty-four articles were initially identified. A total of six (n = 6) studies met the full inclusion criteria and were included. Among them, there were five cross-sectional studies and one case-control study. The highest prevalence reported were neck pain (20.3-76.9%), low back pain (19.5-74.1%), and shoulder pain (3.0-72.9%). The most common instrument used was the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. One of the common professions that report musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions were individuals working in the academic sector.

Conclusion

The increased prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is a concern that should be addressed to prevent negative neuromusculoskeletal outcomes.

Systematic review registration

This review is in the Open Science Framework registry (osf.io/vxs4w) and the PROSPERO database (CRD42021266097).

Implications for practice

•A system in the workplace should be developed for the early detection of musculoskeletal pain.•Apart from standard occupational safety and proper ergonomic, sustainable policies and programs that address the mental health issues of employees should also be addressed.•Programs addressing musculoskeletal pain should be available online for employees to address accessibility and ubiquity.

Telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain - An overview of systematic reviews

Background

Alternative measures for minimizing musculoskeletal pain, such as telerehabilitation, can be implemented in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

The aim of the present overview was to examine evidence from systematic reviews of telerehabilitation for managing musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

This study was conducted following the PRISMA recommendations. Searches were conducted of the Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase databases for review articles published from the inception of the database to July 2022. To be included, the studies needed to be a systematic review, include any type of telerehabilitation and present any outcome related to musculoskeletal pain. Studies not available in English were excluded. Theses, dissertations, letters, conference abstracts and narrative reviews were also excluded. The methodological quality of the reviews was appraised using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews criteria. Data extraction was performed by two reviewers and included the characterization of the clinical condition and telerehabilitation program, main outcomes, method for appraising the methodological quality of the primary studies, results and quality of evidence.

Results

The search led to the retrieval of 390 potentially eligible studies and 16 systematic reviews were included in this overview. Eleven reviews had meta-analyses and most had high methodological quality. Five of six systematic reviews reported evidence supporting the telehealth intervention for chronic pain conditions; and two of three high-quality systematic reviews reported the absence of evidence for non-specific low back pain.

Conclusions

This overview of systematic reviews enables a better understanding of the characteristics of telerehabilitation programs, provides information for use in clinical practice and describes gaps in the research that need to be filled.

The longitudinal association between working from home and musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the associations between working from home and the presence of MSP during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home often involves a lot of sedentary computer screen work and the home working environment might not be optimally equipped, which can lead to health problems, including musculoskeletal pain (MSP).

METHODS

Longitudinal data from 16 questionnaire rounds of the Lifelines COVID-19 cohort during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020-February 2021) were used. In total, 40,702 Dutch workers were included. In every round, participants reported whether they worked on location, from home, or hybrid. Logistic Generalized Estimating Equations were used to study the association of work situation with the presence of MSP and the presence of severe MSP.

RESULTS

Working from home was associated with higher risks of having MSP in the lower back (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08), in the upper back (OR: 1.24, 95% CI 1.18-1.31), and in the neck, shoulder(s) and/or arm(s) (OR: 1.18, 95% CI 1.13-1.22). Hybrid working was associated with higher risks of having pain in the upper back (OR: 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.17) and in the neck, shoulder(s) and/or arm(s) (OR: 1.14, 95% CI 1.09-1.20). Both home and hybrid workers had higher risks of severe MSP in the different body areas.

CONCLUSION

Home workers, and to a smaller extent hybrid workers, had higher risks of having MSP than location workers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate the importance of measures to prevent MSP in future policies involving working from home.

The mediating role of physical activity and sedentary behavior in the association between working from home and musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated both with physical inactivity and musculoskeletal pain. However, it has not been examined whether physical activity and sedentary behavior are underlying mechanisms in the association between working from home and musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, we examined their mediating role in this association.

Methods

Data were used from 24 questionnaire rounds of the Lifelines COVID-19 cohort (March 2020-January 2022). Longitudinal information on work situation (location, home, hybrid), physical activity, sedentary behavior, and musculoskeletal pain was collected among 28,586 workers. Analysis of physical activity/sedentary behavior as mediators of the association between working from home and musculoskeletal pain was performed using multilevel structural equation modeling.

Results

Home workers more often had pain in the upper back [odds ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95%-confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.34] and arm, neck, and/or shoulder (ANS) (OR = 1.32, 95%-CI = 1.19-1.47) than location workers. Furthermore, home workers were more often sedentary for >9 h per work day than location workers (OR = 2.82, 95%-CI = 2.56-3.09), and being more sedentary was associated with musculoskeletal pain (upper back: OR = 1.17, 95%-CI = 1.06-1.30; ANS: OR = 1.25, 95%-CI = 1.16-1.34). Corresponding indirect effects were OR = 1.18 (95%-CI = 1.04-1.33) and OR = 1.26 (95%-CI = 1.12-1.35). No indirect effect was found for physical activity. Similar indirect effects were observed for hybrid workers.

Conclusion

Home and hybrid workers were more likely to have pain in the upper musculoskeletal system during the COVID-19 pandemic than location workers, which was partly mediated by increased sedentary behavior, but not by reduced physical activity. Measures to reduce sedentary time in home workers may contribute to preventing musculoskeletal pain.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among computer users working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey

Background

Office employees are at a greater risk for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) due to their prolonged computer use. In the context of COVID-19, an unanticipated shift to working from home is likely to increase MSD due to a lack of an ergonomic workspace and longer workdays.

Aim

To explore the prevalence of MSD with work-related risk factors among the computer users working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

Computer users working from home for more than 6 hours per day during the COVID-19 lockdown were assessed for possible work-related MSD using web-based survey—Google forms for Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

Results

One hundred twenty one responses from 53 (43.8%) females (25.47 ± 5.72 years) and 68 (56.2%) males (28.65 ± 4.68 years) were included. The female participants were more prone to musculoskeletal pain as compared to males. The neck pain (60.3%), lower back pain (59.5%), and shoulder pain (49.6%) were the most reported body regions affected by work-related MSD. The elbow (18.2%), wrist/hand (35.5%), upper back (42.1%), hips (24.8%), knee (23.1%), and ankle/feet (14%) were the least affected regions. The risk factors associated with MSP includes lack of workplace at home during lockdown, stress after being in one posture, stress in eyes, and mental stress due to work.

Conclusions

During the lockdown phase, the transition of computer workers from working office environment to home increased the prevalence of MSD more commonly in females than males. There is a need to investigate early detection, prevention, and management options to enhance health outcomes.

Relationships Among Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Self-Rated Health, and Work Locations in Studies of Computer Work or Coronavirus Diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

To clarify work location's association with musculoskeletal symptoms.

METHODS

Study 1 surveyed 246 working adults who usually felt pain, in general, and increased pain from computer work. Study 2 surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1084 working adults.

RESULTS

In study 1, 32.5% of the participants sought treatment for their increased pain from computer work. Education differed by work location. When education was considered, there were no significant work location differences in pain intensity, pain interference, or self-rated health. In study 2, COVID-19 diagnoses, education, and gender differed by work location. Age and work location explained self-rated health. Self-rated health was associated with musculoskeletal ache. Work location did not significantly predict musculoskeletal ache.

CONCLUSION

Working at home was associated with fewer COVID-19 diagnoses and higher self-rated health than working at employers' locations.

An investigation of coronaphobia and physical activity among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

This study aims to investigate coronaphobia and physical activity levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

Between December 2021 and February 2022, a total of 68 RA patients (11 males, 57 females; mean age: 48.3±10.1 years; range, 29 to 78 years) and 64 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (4 males, 60 females; mean age: 47.9±10.2 years; range, 23 to 70 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, physical, lifestyle, and medical characteristics of all participants were recorded. The COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19PS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were administered to all participants. The RA patients were divided into two groups as: patients treated with biological and non-biological agents. The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) were used to measure disease activity.

Results

The total and subgroup scores of the C19P-S were found to be statistically significantly higher in both the biological and non-biological RA groups than in the control group (p=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the RA groups in terms of total and subgroup C19P-S scores. The mean IPAQ score was significantly lower in the RA group using biological drugs than in the control group (p=0.002). A significant correlation was found between DAS28 and total C19P-S scores (r:0.63, p<0.05), and CDAI and total C19P-S scores (r:0.79, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with RA have an increased risk of coronaphobia and disease activity is correlated with coronaphobia. Patients treated with biological agents seem to have lower activity levels compared to other RA patients and healthy controls. These results should be considered in the management of RA during COVID-19 pandemic and preventive intervention strategies should be formulated to cope with coronaphobia.

Bireylerin Aşılara Yönelik Tutumları Üzerine COVID-19 Korkusunun Etkisi

Giriş: Covid-19 hastalığının psikolojik etkileri devam etmektedir. Hastalığa ilişkin yaşanılan korku bireylerin Covid-19 aşılarına yönelik tutumlarını etkilemektedir. Amaç: Bireylerin Covid-19 aşısına yönelik tutumları üzerine Covid-19 korkusunun etkisini belirlemektir. Yöntem: Niceliksel araştırma yöntemlerinden tanımlayıcı tipte bir araştırmadır. Çalışmanın verileri 1 Temmuz- 31 Ağustos 2021 tarihleri arasında kartopu örnekleme tekniği kullanılarak online olarak toplanmıştır. Belirtilen süre içerisinde araştırmaya gönüllü olarak katılmayı kabul eden ve formu eksiksiz dolduran 221 kişi araştırmanın örneklemini oluşturmuştur. Veri toplama araçları “Katılımcı Bilgi Formu”, “Covid-19 Korku Ölçeği” ve “Covid-19 Aşısına Yönelik Tutumlar Ölçeği” dir. Bulgular: Araştırmaya katılan bireylerin Covid-19 korku ölçeği puan ortalaması 17.84 ± 6.65; Covid-19 aşısına yönelik olumlu tutum alt boyut puan ortalaması 3.79 ± 1.12; Covid-19 aşısına yönelik olumsuz tutum alt boyut puan ortalaması 3.57 ± 1.23 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Covid-19 korku ve Covid-19 aşısına yönelik olumlu tutum değişkenleri arasında pozitif yönde, anlamlı (r = .28; p = .000) bir ilişki saptanmıştır. Ayrıca, Covid-19 korkusunun bireylerin Covid-19 aşına yönelik olumlu tutum düzeyi üzerinde anlamlı bir etkiye sahip olduğu görülmüştür (t = 4.396; p = .000). Sonuç: Covid-19 korkusu bireylerin Covid-19 aşısına yönelik tutumunu olumlu şekilde etkilemiştir

Impact of the restrictions on community activities policy during the COVID‐19 on psychological health in Indonesia's urban and rural residents: A cross‐sectional study

Background and Aims

Although extensive research has been conducted on the psychological impact after exposure to the COVID‐19 pandemic, very few studies simultaneously investigated the negative and positive impacts on urban and rural residents. This study aims to compare the extent of psychological impact on Indonesian living in urban and rural areas a year after the first case of COVID‐19 was reported.

Design, Methodology and Approach

We employed a cross‐sectional study design. A total of 428 participants completed a set of web‐based questionnaires from February to March 2021, consisting of the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R), the Perceived Social‐Support (PSS), the mental health‐related lifestyle (MHLS), and 6‐item negative impacts, and the Jenkins' Sleep Scale (JSS).

Findings

Over 40% of the participants reported moderate to severe trauma‐related distress; 30%–40% increased stress at work, home, and financial stress, and 50% more social support gained from their family and friends. Although 62.1% of participants paid more attention to their mental health, only 30% engaged in a healthier lifestyle, and 36.7% had sleep problems. No significant differences were found between urban and rural residents on psychological impact, changes in mental health and related lifestyles, and sleep quality. Urban residents perceived more negative impacts, in parallel with increased social support, compared to rural residents. We also found a significant correlation between psychological impact, sleep disturbance, and increased social support. However, there was no significant association between mental health‐related lifestyles and other scales.

Originality and Value

This is among the first studies that examine the urban–rural disparity on the positive and negative impact of the COVID‐19 in the later stage of the pandemic. Our findings offer insights to provide equal effort to mitigate the negative impacts of the COVID‐19 crisis as well as promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in both urban and rural residencies.

Association between Metacognitive Beliefs and COVID-19 phobia in a community population: a cross-sectional study

This study aims to investigate the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and COVID-19 phobia. The sample included 514 Turkish adults, 295 of whom are women (57,4%), and 219 are men (42,6%). Their ages ranged between 18 and 70 years (M = 32.96, SD = 10.79). COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) were administered. Our analysis showed that women reported significantly higher COVID-19 phobia. The participants with chronic illnesses showed significantly higher COVID-19 phobia and MCQ-30 scores. It was found that C19P-S total score positively correlated with negative beliefs about worry concerning uncontrollability of thoughts, the need to control thoughts, cognitive self-consciousness, positive beliefs, cognitive confidence, and MCQ-30 total score respectively (r = .47, p < .001; r = .33, p < .001; r = .30, p < .001; r = .29, p < .001; r = .12, p < .001; r = .44, p < .001). Then, hierarchical multiple regression was conducted, and the relationships were tested via structural equation modeling. To sum up, it can be concluded that negative beliefs about worry concerning the uncontrollability of thoughts contribute to COVID-19 phobia. However, explained variance was small suggesting that there are additional factors involved. These results provided preliminary findings relating to the association between metacognitive beliefs and coronavirus phobia symptoms. Further longitudinal research is necessary to determine the causal direction of these findings.

The effect of training and workstation adjustability on teleworker discomfort during the COVID-19 pandemic

Technological advancements have increased occupational flexibility for employees and employers alike. However, while effective telework requires planning, the COVID-19 pandemic required many employees to quickly shift to working from home without ensuring that the requirements for telework were in place. This study evaluated the transition to telework on university faculty and staff and investigated the effect of one's telework setup and ergonomics training on work-related discomfort in the at-home environment. Fifty-one percent of respondents reported increases in their existing discomfort while 24% reported new discomfort since working from home. These results suggest a need for ergonomic interventions including ergonomic training and individual ergonomic assessments for those who work from home.

Questionnaire survey about the effects of new lifestyles during the pandemic of COVID-19 on upper limb diseases

BACKGROUND

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that emerged in 2019 and spread globally in 2020 has resulted in the imposition of lockdowns or a state of emergency in many cities worldwide. In Japan, a "new lifestyle" is being advocated. We hypothesize that the new lifestyle has changed people's use of their upper limbs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, through this questionnaire study, we aimed to determine the factors associated with exacerbation of symptoms during the pandemic and to investigate the current status of patients who require hand surgery.

METHODS

This study was a prospective multi-center questionnaire survey. This study was conducted in Japan from December 2020 to July 2021 at university and general hospitals in nine prefectures. A questionnaire was administered to patients who visited a hospital with symptoms of nerve entrapment syndrome, osteoarthritis, or tenosynovitis.

RESULTS

A total of 502 patients with a mean age of 63.8 years responded. The 240 patients who experienced exacerbation (exacerbated and markedly exacerbated) were compared with other patients (unchanged, improved, and markedly improved). An increase in the time spent on personal computers and smartphones was associated with exacerbation of hand symptoms. Patients who wanted to undergo surgery but were postponed due to COVID-19 accounted for 23.5% of the outpatients. The mean scores for pain, jitteriness, and anxious depression in these patients were significantly higher than those of patients who did not want surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that an increase in the time spent on personal computers and smartphones is associated with exacerbation of hand symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients who wanted to undergo surgery but were postponed by COVID-19 experienced greater pain, jitteriness, and anxious depression.

Investigating The Impacts of Working at Home Among Offıce Workers With Neck Pain on Health Status, Depression and Sleep Quality During COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the effect of workplace and ergonomic features on neck pain intensity, sleep problems, depression and health status at office workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

One-hundred and thirty-nine office workers with neck pain who are 18-55 years of age were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic features including ergonomic features of workplace were evaluated. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS) were administered to all patients.

RESULTS

All participants was grouped based on workplace into Group 1 (working in office n = 84) and Group 2(working at home n = 55). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups according to rate of absence of back support, flexible back (respectively p = 0.020 and p = 0.029). The scores of the Neck Pain and Disability Index scores of the participants who work with a computer more than 3 hours without break was higher in Group 2 than ın Group 1, and the differences between groups were found statistically significant (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The health related quality of life was worse and neck pain intensity was severe in working at home group than working in office group.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05074407..

The Role of Resilience, Happiness, and Social Support in the Psychological Function during the Late Stages of the Lockdown in Individuals with and without Chronic Pain

There is mounting evidence to suggest that individuals with chronic pain adjusted poorly to and were impacted negatively by social distancing measures during the lockdown. However, there is limited data on the factors that might protect against the negative effects associated with social distancing measures, as most research has been conducted in the general population and in the initial stages of the lockdown. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the role that resilience, happiness, and social support, all factors that are thought to have a protective role, played in the psychological function (measured as anxiety, depression, and stress) to the social distancing measures during the late stages of the lockdown in a sample of adults with and without chronic pain living in Spain. A group of 434 adults responded to an online survey and provided information on sociodemographic issues, which included measures of pain, perceived health and quality of life, depression, anxiety, stress, resilience, happiness, and social support. The data showed that individuals with chronic pain (N = 200; 46%) reported statistically significant worst psychological function, that is to say, they reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress (all ps < 0.001). Resilience, social support, and happiness proved to be significant predictors of anxiety, depression, and stress, after controlling for the effects of age, gender, and chronic pain. Although the effect sizes were small to medium, they are consistent with the findings of other studies. The findings from this study provide important additional new information regarding the associations between resilience, happiness, and social support and the adjustment to the social distancing measures during the late stages of the lockdown. These findings can be used to develop programs to improve adjustment to and coping with the demands of social distancing measures.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality in healthcare workers in Turkey

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused serious concerns and psychological distress globally. Healthcare workers remain one of the most affected groups due to life threatening risks in addition to increased working hours and labor intensity. All these factors may affect sleep quality of this population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the sleep behaviors of healthcare professionals working in secondary and tertiary hospitals in a large population in Turkey and to show how sleep quality is affected during the pandemic process using the easily applicable Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS). The population of this cross-sectional descriptive study consists of two pandemic hospitals determined in Kahramanmaraş province. In our questionnaire, we asked subjective sleep quality, sleep time, time to fall asleep, total sleep time, and medication use. We also used JSS Turkish version (JSS-TR) to assess sleep quality and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for increased daytime sleepiness.

Results

Healthcare workers who participated in our survey reported that they started to go to bed later, fell asleep later (mean: 41.75 ± 35.35 min), their total sleep time (mean: 6.67 ± 1.88 h) was shortened, and they needed medication to sleep more (5.7%) after the COVID-19 pandemic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, bedtime behavior after 24:00 decreased from 80.1 to 43.9% of those who previously went to bed before 24:00. For those who went to bed after 24:00 before, it increased from 19.9 to 56.1%. In addition, sleep quality as assessed by subjective and JSS significantly deteriorated after the COVID-19 pandemic. Excessive daytime sleepiness increased. Those with ESS > 10 before and after COVID-19 were 3.9% and 14.1%, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly adversely affected the sleep behavior and sleep quality of healthcare professionals. The JSS is an easily applicable scale for assessing sleep quality in large population studies.

Physical and financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate knee pain: A longitudinal study of a large-scale general population

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in knee pain, a dominant cause of physical disability, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and to identify factors affecting the changes in knee pain.

METHODS

We analysed the pre- and post-COVID-19 longitudinal data set of the Nagahama Study. Knee pain was assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS). The estimated KSS from the age and sex using regression model in the pre- and post-COVID-19 data set was compared. Factors including the activity score, educational level, and various impacts of COVID-19 were analysed for correlation analyses with changes in KSS.

RESULTS

Data collected from 6409 participants showed statistically significant differences in KSS, pre- (mean = 22.0; SD = 4.4) and post-COVID-19 (mean = 19.5; SD = 6.4). Low activity score (p = .008), low educational level (p < .001), and undesirable financial impact (p = .030) were independently associated with knee pain exacerbation.

CONCLUSION

The harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on knee pain were suggested. People should be encouraged to engage in physical activities, such as walking, despite the state of emergency. Furthermore, social support for economically disadvantaged groups may improve healthcare access, preventing the acute exacerbations of knee pain.

Work-from-home-related musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review protocol

Background

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced various workforce industries to work from home. The work-from-home set-up has exposed some workers to some office-related work, typically not included in their jobs, consequently exposing them to an increased risk for developing musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for observational studies published between May 2020-June 2021. This review will include published peer-reviewed studies in the English language. We will include studies that recruited adults aged 20-65 from any work industry reporting on outcomes related to musculoskeletal functions (i.e., pain, disorder, condition, etc.). Two independent reviewers will screen the search results. Two independent reviewers will accomplish risk of bias assessment using the JBI-MAStARI critical appraisal tools. Likewise, data extraction will be performed by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. Pooled prevalence estimates will be generated using Revman V.5.2.1, where Forest plots will be generated to determine overall estimates of random-effects and confidence intervals. To quantify heterogeneity, we will index the I ² and X ² p-value. A narrative synthesis summarised into tables and themes will likewise be used to summarize the extracted data.

Discussion

A rapid review methodology was chosen to rapidly synthesize the available literature on the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain associated with work-from-home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is essential in informing health programs and policies that address both the public and private industry sectors.

Systematic review registration

This is registered in the PROSPERO Registry (CRD42021266097).

The association between coronaphobia and attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccine: A sample in the east of Turkey

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to examine the association between coronaphobia and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine in the society.

METHODS

This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with snowball sampling method between December 30, 2020 and January 10, 2021. The survey form was sent online to individuals who were 18 years of age and older. 1252 individuals who responded to the surveys were included in the study. The data were collected by using "Descriptive Information Form", "Attitudes towards the Covid-19 vaccine scale" and "Coronavirus 19 Phobia Scale (CP19-S)". Descriptive statistics and Pearson Correlation analysis were used in the evaluation of data.

RESULTS

In the study, it was found that the participants had a mean ATV-COVID-19 scale positive attitude sub-dimension score of 2.81±1.04, while they had a mean negative attitude sub-dimension score of 2.95±0.78 and a mean total score of 2.89±0.78. It was found that the participants had a mean C19P-S psychological sub-dimension score of 21.03±5.36, a mean psychosomatic sub-dimension score of 10.30±4.11, a mean social sub-dimension score of 15.04±4.71, a mean economic sub-dimension score of 8.89±3.46 and a mean total scale score of 55.28±15.00. It was found in the study that there was a positive association between the participants' C19P-S and social sub-dimension and ATV-COVID-19 and positive attitude sub-dimension, while there was a negative association between ATV-COVID-19 and negative attitude sub-dimension (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that the participants had a moderate level of coronavirus phobia and positive attitudes towards the vaccine. It was found that positive attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine increased as the coronavirus phobia increased.

Impact of corona-phobia on attitudes and acceptance towards COVID-19 vaccine among cancer patients: a single-center study

Aim: This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 phobia and related factors on attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 300 adult patients using a validated COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and related survey to determine the factors affecting vaccine acceptance between May-June 2021. Results: Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine willingness, 86.7% accepted vaccination, 6.3% were hesitant and 7% refused vaccination. Patients that accepted vaccination had significantly higher C19P-S scores in general, and in psychological and psychosomatic subdivisions. Univariate analysis revealed that increased age, being retired, and being married were significantly associated with willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusion: The majority of patients had high 'coronophobia' levels which were associated with increased willingness for the COVID-19 vaccines. Minimizing negative attitudes towards vaccines will most likely be achieved by raising awareness in the cancer population about COVID-19 vaccine.

Mental, Physical and Socio-Economic Status of Adults Living in Spain during the Late Stages of the State of Emergency Caused by COVID-19

Research has shown that the confinement measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 can have negative effects on people's lives at multiple levels. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to better understand the mental, physical, and socio-economic status of adults living in Spain during the late stages of the state of emergency caused by COVID-19. Five hundred and forty-four individuals responded to an online survey between 3 June and 30 July 2020. They were asked to report data about their mental and physical health, financial situation, and satisfaction with the information received about the pandemic. Means, percentages, t-test, ANOVAs, and logistic regressions were computed. A third of the participants reported symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress, and worries about their health and the future. Participants also described mild levels of fatigue and pain during lockdown (66%), and a reduction in household income (39%). Respondents that were female, younger, single, and with lower levels of education reported experiencing a greater impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data showed that the negative effects of lockdown were present in the late stages of the state of emergency. The findings can be used to contribute to the development of programs to prevent or mitigate the negative impact of confinement measures.

Association Between Abrupt Change to Teleworking and Physical Symptoms During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Emergency Declaration in Japan

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the association between telework frequency and the presence of non-COVID-19-related physical symptoms during the COVID-19 emergency declaration among workers in Japan.

METHODS

Data were collected from 1648 workers via web-based self-reported questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between telework frequency per week (0, 1-2, 3-4, and ≥5 days/week) and the presence of stiff shoulders, eyestrain, and low back pain.

RESULTS

Among 917 participants, telework frequency was significantly associated with stiff shoulders (≥5 days: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37-7.06), eyestrain (≥5 days: aOR 5.31, 95% CI 2.09-13.44), and low back pain (≥5 days: aOR 5.57, 95% CI 2.22-14.00), compared with non-teleworkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Workers who abruptly began telework experienced more physical symptoms than non-teleworkers during the emergency declaration.

The profile of musculoskeletal pain and its associations with sleep quality and depression during the COVID-19 in Turkey

Background

The current pandemic has affected people’s health multidimensionally. This study aims to investigate musculoskeletal pain, sleep quality, depression levels, and their relationships in individuals belonging to different age groups during COVID-19 in Turkey.

Methods

A web-based self-administered survey that consisted of demographic questions, The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and scores of musculoskeletal pain was sent to participants. Pearson correlation analysis was used for determining the statistical relationship between variables.

Results

The study includes 1,778 participants. The highest percentage for mild, moderate, and severe pain was in the head (49.8%), back (15.5%), and head (11.5%), respectively. The PSQI-total had shown a weak correlation with pain levels in all body parts. The highest correlation for sleep quality and pain levels was between the PSQI-5 and lower back pain. There was a weak correlation between PSQI-2 and the BDI score, and a moderate correlation between the PSQI-1, PSQI-5, PSQI-7, PSQI-total, and BDI score. Pain in all body parts showed a weak correlation with depression level.

Conclusions

This study showed that musculoskeletal pain was varied in body parts with different intensities according to age groups in Turkey during the pandemic. The most common pain was in the head, back, and lower back. Headache was found correlated with the parameters of sleep quality. Pain of the head, neck, back, lower back, and shoulder were correlated with sleep latency. Sleep quality was associated with depression and musculoskeletal pain, while musculoskeletal pain was correlated with depression.

Association between Psychological Stress and Neck Pain among College Students during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 Pandemic: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study

The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) greatly affected people’s lifestyles. We used an online, cross-sectional survey during a COVID-19-related lockdown in Israel, with the aim of investigating the effects of such lockdowns on students’ self-perceived stress and neck pain (NP). College students (N = 295) completed questions on sociodemographic characteristics, the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the Perceived Stress Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and NP frequency (four-point scale). Logistic regression models were calculated with the NDI as the dependent variable. In total, 35.6% of students experienced at least moderate NP-related disability (NDI ≥ 15), more during than before the lockdown. NP increased gradually, from a lifetime mean of 1.80 to a lockdown mean of 3.07 (χ² = 316.72; p < 0.001). Students’ self-perceived stress was moderate, and 59.3% reported experiencing study-related stress. Higher levels of self-perceived stress, study-related stress, sitting >3 h/day, and a higher VAS score were associated with a higher risk of an NDI ≥ 15 (Nagelkerke’s R² = 0.513, p < 0.001). The transition from on-campus to online learning seems to have exacerbated students’ NP, which was correlated to their study stress and lifestyles. These findings advocate for the need to promote the physical and mental health of students via e.g., mental health services and occupational and ergonomic consulting services.

Effects of COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures in Individuals with Chronic Pain Living in Spain in the Late Stages of the Lockdown

Social distancing measures during the lockdown have had a negative impact on chronic pain patients' function. Research, however, has only focused on the early stages of the first lockdowns. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the effects of COVID-19 social distancing measures on individuals with chronic pain living in Spain during the late stages of the lockdown. A group of 361 adults with pain participated in this study. They responded to an online survey and provided information on sociodemographic issues, pain, fatigue, perceived health, and quality of life. The data showed that most participants suffered moderate to severe pain and interferences with pain treatment and an increase in pain intensity during the lockdown. Most participants also informed us that fatigue had worsened during the lockdown (62%). Importantly, females with lower monthly family income and lower education have been found to be associated with greater levels of pain and fatigue. Despite this, participants perceived themselves as having good health and good quality of life. The findings from this study can be used to inform policy and specific responses for future COVID-19 waves and future pandemics where social distancing measures must be implemented.

COVID-19 and Youth Sports: What Are the Risks of Getting Back on the Field Too Quickly?

The widespread shutdown in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, although varied across state and county levels, has undoubtedly impacted everyone to some degree. Within the pediatric population, the closure of schools and organized youth athletic programs has resulted in a unique situation that has made athletes physically deconditioned and at risk for injury. As sports and competition gradually restart, there are considerable risks to the skeletally immature athlete. The anatomic and physiologic changes that occur to bone and cartilage during growth make the young athlete particularly susceptible to both acute and overuse injuries. In the context of the pandemic, deconditioning, obesity, lack of variety, and the resultant mental health burden pose unique challenges in ensuring that young athletes safely return to the field. This review aims to identify risk factors for sport-related injuries and to outline strategies for minimizing these injuries as pediatric patients return-to-play after COVID-19. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(11):e465-e469.].

Validation of the COVID-19 Transmission Misinformation Scale and Conditional Indirect Negative Effects on Wearing a Mask in Public

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic devastated the world economy. Global infections and deaths altered the behaviors of generations. The Internet acted as an incredible vehicle for communication but was also a source of unfounded rumors. Unfortunately, this freedom of information sharing and fear of COVID-19 fostered unfounded claims about transmission (e.g., 5G networks spread the disease). With negligible enforcement to stop the spread of rumors and government officials spouting unfounded claims, falsities became ubiquitous. Organizations, public health officials, researchers, and businesses spent limited resources addressing rumors instead of implementing policies to overcome challenges (e.g., speaking to defiant mask wearers versus safe reopening actions). The researchers defined COVID-19 transmission misinformation as false beliefs about the spread and prevention of contracting the disease. Design and validation of the 12-item COVID-19 Transmission Misinformation Scale (CTMS) provides a measure to identify transmission misinformation believers. Indirect COVID-19 transmission misinformation beliefs with a fear of COVID-19 decreased wearing a mask in public intentions. Callousness exacerbated COVID-19 transmission misinformation beliefs as a moderator.

Coronaphobia in patients with fibromyalgia

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the level of coronaphobia caused by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to compare the results in patients without FMS.

Patients and methods

Between August 2020 and October 2020, a total of 61 patients who were admitted to our outpatient clinic were included. The patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 (n=30; 2 males, 28 females; mean age: 43.2±9.3 years; range, 21 to 61 years) consisting of patients who were newly diagnosed or under follow-up for FMS and Group 2, the control group, (n=31; 4 males, 27 females; mean age: 49±10.7 years; range, 25 to 66 years) consisting patients who presented with any locomotor system complaint and were not diagnosed with FMS. Sociodemographic data of the patients and comorbidities were recorded. All the patients in both groups completed the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S).

Results

The C19P-S total score and psychological, psychosomatic, social, and economic subscale scores were statistically significantly higher in the FMS group than the control group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Our study results suggest that FMS patients have more concerns in this extraordinary global pandemic situation. Early detection of coronaphobia and timely psychological support are critical for individuals prone to psychological disorders, such as FMS.

COVID-19: Pulmonary and Extra Pulmonary Manifestations

Introduction: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been the most significant event in 2020, with ~86.8 million cases and 1.88 million deaths worldwide. It is a highly infectious disease, wherein the virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) rapidly multiplies and spreads to all parts of the body. Therefore, COVID-19 is not only respiratory disease but also a multisystem disease. Many people, including physicians, incorrectly believe that the disease affects only the respiratory tract. In this study, we aimed to describe COVID-19 manifestations and the underlying pathophysiology to provide the readers with a better understanding of this disease to achieve good management and to control the spread of this disease. Methods: Secondary data were obtained from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. The keywords used for the search were as follows: COVID-19, COVID-19 pulmonary manifestations, COVID-19 extra pulmonary manifestations, and pathophysiology of COVID-19. We collected secondary data from systemic reviews, metaanalyses, case series, and case reports in the form of public data that was published on websites of the government, medical corporations, medical peer-reviewed journals, and medical academies, all of which were indexed in PubMed, Google Scholar, or Scopus. Our questions were as follows: Is COVID-19 a respiratory disease only? and What are the extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19? Results: From our data, we found that a patient with COVID-19 may be either asymptomatic or symptomatic. Symptomatic cases may have either pulmonary or extrapulmonary manifestations. Pulmonary manifestations occur as mild, moderate, or severe cases. In mild and moderate cases, extrapulmonary manifestations such as gastroenteritis, fever, or vomiting may present alone. Some of these cases may be missed for diagnosis, and the patient may receive symptomatic treatment without a COVID-19 diagnosis, leading to increased spread of the infection. Extrapulmonary manifestations may occur in severe and critical cases as complications of severe infections (high viral overload) or the cytokine storm, such as in acute kidney injury (AKI), heart failure (HF), and venous thromboembolic (VTE) manifestation. Conclusion: COVID-19 is not a respiratory disease alone; rather, it is a multisystem disease. Pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations should be considered for early diagnosis and to control the spread of the infection.

Work from home and musculoskeletal pain in telecommunications workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a pilot study

One of the side-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is a global change in work ergonomic patterns as millions of people replaced their usual work environment with home to limit the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection. The aim of our cross-sectional pilot study was to identify musculoskeletal pain that may have resulted from this change and included 232 telecommunications company workers of both genders [121 (52.2 %) men aged 23–62 (median 41; interquartile range 33–46 yrs.) and 111 (47.8 %) women aged 23–53 (median 40; interquartile range 33–44)] who had been working from home for eight months (from 16 March to 4 December 2020) before they joined the study. The participants were asked to fill in our web-based questionnaire by self-assessing their experience of hand, lower back, and upper back/neck pain while working at home and by describing their work setting and physical activity. Compared to previous work at the office, 90 (39.1 %) participants reported stronger pain in the lower back, 105 (45.7 %) in the upper back/neck, and 63 (27.2 %) in their hands. Only one third did not report any musculoskeletal problems related to work from home. Significantly fewer men than women reported hand, lower back, and upper back/ neck pain (p=0.033, p=0.001 and p=0.013, respectively). Sixty-nine workers (29.9 %) reported to work in a separate room, 75 (32.4 %) worked in a separate section of a room with other household members, whereas 87 (37.7 %) had no separate work space, 30 of whom most often worked in the dining room. Ninety-five participants (40.9 %) had no office desk to work at, and only 75 (32.3 %) used an ergonomic chair. Of those who shared their household with others (N=164), 116 (70.7 %) complained about constant or occasional disturbances. Over a half of all participants (52 %) said that they worked longer hours from home than at work, predominantly women (p=0.05). Only 69 participants (29.9 %) were taking frequent breaks, predominantly older ones (p=0.006). Our findings clearly point to a need to inform home workers how to make more ergonomic use of non-ergonomic equipment, use breaks, and exercise and to inform employers how to better organise working hours to meet the needs of work from home.

Portuguese Version of COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale and COVID-19 Phobia Scale: Psychometric Properties

The COVID-19 pandemic scenario has a psychological impact on individuals and society. A higher level of perceived risk concerning COVID-19 has been found when compared to other potential health threats. A misperception of risk in contrast with the real risk may lead people to develop disruptive cognitive, affective, or behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, namely, coronaphobia. Validated instruments are needed to evaluate such responses. This work aims to validate the COVID-19 Perceived Risk Scale (C19PRS) and the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19PS) in the Portuguese population. The two scales were translated from English to Portuguese using the back-translation technique. The cultural adaptation was framed in the context of establishing the validity and reliability of the instruments. In two studies, C19PRS and C19PS were validated for the adult Portuguese population (N = 1122; women = 725 (64.6%); mean age of 31.91 years old) through exploratory factorial analysis, followed by a confirmatory factorial analysis. Convergent validity was calculated by composite reliability (CR) and average variance extracted (AVE) values. Discriminant validity was assessed by square roots of the AVE values and their comparison with the C19PRS and C19PS dimensions’ cross-correlations. Both C19PRS and C19PS present a good adjustment model and solid reliability and validity and have significant correlations with fear of COVID-19 and COVID-19 anxiety scales.

Working From Home During a Pandemic: Investigation of the Impact of COVID-19 on Employee Health and Productivity

OBJECTIVE

To determine ergonomic problems when working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to musculoskeletal pain, sleep conditions, physical activity, resting, equipment, and productivity.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, office workers who switched to working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic participated in an online survey (n = 194). The data were interpreted using descriptive and multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

A significant increase in back pain was revealed (P < 0.001). Significant weight gain was observed (P < 0.001) connected to a decrease in physical activity and an increase in the consumption of junk food. Despite the negative health impact, participants self-reported an increase in productivity.

CONCLUSION

The self-reported productivity was higher during the working from home, but a declining trend in employee health can be observed including low back pain and weight gain.

One Year of COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Effect of Sedentary Behavior on Physical Activity Levels and Musculoskeletal Pain among University Students

The COVID-19 outbreak forced Italian students to reduce their daily activities, inducing a seden-tary attitude that was worsened by distanced learning. This study aimed to survey the physical activity levels that were maintained before and during the social restrictions following the pan-demic, their correlation to musculoskeletal pain, as well as analyzing the impact of these COVID-19 restrictions on pain and fatigue that affects daily life activities. A total of 2044 students completed the online questionnaire, of which the results of 1654 participants were eligible. Before the pandemic, the levels of physical activity were distributed as: 19.9% no activity, 30.1% light ac-tivity, 21.5% moderate activity, and 28.5% high activity. After one year of the pandemic, 30.6% of the participants were inactive, 48.1%, 10.9%, and 10.5% stated as maintaining, respectively, light, moderate and high levels of physical activity. Furthermore, 43.5% reported neck pain and 33.5% stated to experience low back pain. Physical activity levels lower than 150 min/week may have predisposed students to suffer from neck pain (1.95 OR at 95% CI, 1.44-2.64) and low back pain (1.79 OR at 95% CI, 1.29-2.49). A positive correlation between physical activity levels, Verbal Descriptive Scale (VDS), and pain frequency have been observed for neck and low back pain (p-value < 0.05). Finally, low physical activity levels were associated with musculoskeletal pain onset and pain worsening.

Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on musculoskeletal pain, physical activity, and work environment in Estonian office workers transitioning to working from home

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 lockdown caused a sudden change in the work culture and environment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown caused changes in musculoskeletal pain (MSP), physical activity (PA), workplace properties, and their in-between relationships among office workers.

METHODS

A total of 161 office workers (64.6%female) with a mean age of 38.2±9.5 years participated. The study was conducted as an online form. Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, NORDIC Questionnaire, and questions about the work environment were used. The participants were asked to describe the current situation and retrospectively the situation 3 months before.

RESULTS

We found no significant differences in the prevalence of MSP or between the mean number of body regions suffering from MSP before and during the lockdown. During the lockdown, a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in total PA and sport-related PA and a significant (p < 0.001) increase in work-related PA was noted. A significant drop in both workplace comfort rating (p < 0.05) and workplace ergonomics rating (p < 0.001) was suggested during the lockdown. Our data also suggested several individual factors influencing the MSP among office workers during the lockdown.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintaining habitual physical activity level and preparing a more comfortable and ergonomic workspace can play a role in a healthier transition to working from home.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon patients with burning mouth syndrome

INTRODUCTION

The global COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the daily life of people, with a particularly relevant impact upon certain groups of individuals that have difficulties in facing stress. A study is made of the impact of the pandemic upon patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 40 patients with BMS diagnosed in the Unit of Oral Medicine (University of Murcia, Spain) were included. In all cases the study comprised a standardized clinical interview by the same professional and an exploration of the oral cavity. The first visit took place before the pandemic and consisted of the evaluation of anxiety (Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale [HADS]), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), pain intensity (visual analog scale [VAS]) and sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), while the second visit took place one and a half months after the start of lockdown due to the pandemic in Spain.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 36 women (90%) and four men (10%) aged between 39 and s86 years. Statistically significant differences were recorded between the two visits in terms of anxiety (p < 0.001), sleep quality (p < 0.001) and pain intensity (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The appearance of the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered worsening of anxiety, sleep quality and pain intensity in patients with BMS.

An investigation of potential coronaphobia-related factors in adults and sleep quality relations

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to investigate potential coronaphobia-related factors in adults and to assess the relationship between coronaphobia and sleep quality.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1262 participants. The Covid-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) and Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) were used to measure outcomes. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were constructed to determine risk factors for coronaphobia. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between C19P-S and JSS.

RESULTS

The following risk factors were found to be associated with coronaphobia: gender, marital status, presence of chronic disease, staying home, and sleep disturbances. Female gender (OR = 2.23 and OR = 2.12), being married (OR = 1.31 and OR = 1.45), chronic disease status (OR = 1.39 and OR = 1.27), staying home (OR = 1.72 and OR = 1.35) and sleep disturbances (OR = 2.63 and OR = 2.49) were found to be associated with the likelihood of having a higher coronaphobia score (p < 0.05). Weak positive correlations were found between C19P-S and its subscales and JSS scores (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Female gender, being married, having chronic diseases, staying home, and having sleep disturbances were found to be risk factors for having high coronaphobia scores. Moreover, the severity of coronaphobia was associated with sleep disturbances. These results should be considered in the management of coronaphobia.

Developments in work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) amongst Dutch university students from 2004 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Former studies on work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) within university education report substantial prevalence rates. In this study, developments in WRULD amongst students in the period 2004-2014 were investigated. Our findings can be a benchmark for future studies, in particular when there are major societal changes as in the case of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

Differences in time (academic year), how long students have been studying (year of studying), relations with computer time and societal changes were points of interest.

METHODS

2254 students (average age 20.0 years) responded to a questionnaire on WRULD. Students experiencing complaints were further questioned about the severity of complaints and associated body locations.

RESULTS

The average percentage of students experiencing complaints was 57%. The highest prevalence rates and severity scores were found in the first and last recorded academic years. The neck, shoulder, back and wrist were most often indicated. The prevalence of complaints raised from the 1st (49%) to the 4th (75%) year of studying. Two seriousness measures showed highest scores in the 5th/6th/7th year of studying. Relations were found between both the prevalence and seriousness of complaints with reported computer time.

CONCLUSIONS

After an initial decreasing trend from the academic year 2006/2007 to 2010/2011 there was an increase in WRULD amongst students from 2010/2011 to 2013/2014. Limiting financial and study time factors may have played a role. Structural attention for WRULD prevention and risk factors seems to be effective in reducing prevalence and severity of WRULD. This seems to be even more necessary due to recent COVID-related changes in the students' lives.

A Study of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Experience of Back Pain Reported on Twitter® in the United States: A Natural Language Processing Approach

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lifestyles, habits, and daily routine. Some of the impacts of COVID-19 have been widely reported already. However, many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still to be discovered. The main objective of this study was to assess the changes in the frequency of reported physical back pain complaints reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast to other published studies, we target the general population using Twitter as a data source. Specifically, we aim to investigate differences in the number of back pain complaints between the pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. A total of 53,234 and 78,559 tweets were analyzed for November 2019 and November 2020, respectively. Because Twitter users do not always complain explicitly when they tweet about the experience of back pain, we have designed an intelligent filter based on natural language processing (NLP) to automatically classify the examined tweets into the back pain complaining class and other tweets. Analysis of filtered tweets indicated an 84% increase in the back pain complaints reported in November 2020 compared to November 2019. These results might indicate significant changes in lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, including restrictions in daily body movements and reduced exposure to routine physical exercise.