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

ABSTRACT

Studies related to the effects of the lockdown on musculoskeletal pain, coronaphobia, and sleep quality in individuals who stayed at home (SH) and in those who continued to work (CW) at a workplace other than home during the Covid-19 pandemic are scarce. We compare the effects of a 3-month nationwide lockdown in Turkey on musculoskeletal pain, coronaphobia, and sleep quality in individuals who SH and in those who CW during the Covid-19 pandemic. Individuals who SH (n: 375) and those who CW (n: 311) during the Covid-19 were included in this case-controlled study. Data on musculoskeletal pain (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, NMQ), coronaphobia (Covid-19 Phobia Scale, C19P-S), and sleep quality (Jenkins Sleep Scale, JSS) were collected via an online form. During the 3-month Covid-19 lockdown, low back pain was higher in the SH group than CW group (p < .05). Rates of the neck, upper-back, shoulder, and hip/thigh pain were lower, and rate of low back pain was higher in the SH group (p < .05); while, rates of the neck, upper back, shoulder, and elbow pain were lower in the CW group (p < .05) during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown than pre-lockdown values. The total scores of the C19P-S and psychological, psychosomatic, social, and economic subscales were higher in the SH group (p < .05). Sleep quality was similar in both groups (p > .05). Individuals who SH had more low back pain and higher coronaphobia than individuals who CW during the 3-month Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Nonetheless, sleep quality was similar and the rate of some types of musculoskeletal pain was lower in both groups.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19 pandemic
• stay-at home social isolation
• musculoskeletal pain
• fear
• sleep

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.