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

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Ohoud S Alnamlah, Maha M Almarwani
• Journal: BMC musculoskeletal disorders (BMC Musculoskelet Disord) Vol. 24 Issue 1 Pg. 507 (Jun 21 2023) ISSN: 1471-2474 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37344796 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).

Topics

• Humans
• COVID-19 (epidemiology)
• Musculoskeletal Pain (diagnosis, epidemiology, therapy)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Saudi Arabia (epidemiology)
• Physical Therapy Modalities