Consequences of the COVID-19 Quarantine on the Quality of Life of Individuals with Chronic Pain

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 epidemic, lockdown constraints were enforced by nations all around the globe. A lockdown has been proposed as a solution situation, comprising physical and social isolation measures, for individuals who have an excessive amount of chronic pain and need quick adaption to care and treatment plans.

Method: We examined the lockdown restrictions in the UK affected people with chronic pain (N=431) in comparison to a healthy control group (N=88) with a wired technique. Data were gathered from 2020 from mid-April through early May, which was the UK's strictest lockdown period. We hypothesized that increases in pain and psychological discomfort associated with lockdowns degrees of pain would act as a mediator catastrophizing, in line with the fear-avoidance paradigm.

Results: In comparison to their estimates of the average pain levels before confinement, responses showed that those with chronic pain felt higher pain intensity (p<001). Additionally, they were more negatively impacted by lockdown situations than those who weren't in pain, showing higher levels of self-perceived anxiety and depression, improved isolation, and decreased physical activity levels (p<001). According to the categorized model analysis, pain catastrophizing was a significant contributor to the degree of self-reported raises in pain intensity through isolation (β =.28, p<001) and also acted as a mediator between pain and depressed mood. Increased pain sensations were similarly correlated with perceived declines in physical activity levels (β=.15, p<001). Interestingly, a subsection (N=85) does not appear to have an important difference in pain greatness levels. Nevertheless, people in this subgroup continued to report higher levels of self-perceived pain through lockdown, which was also expected, given typical pain levels catastrophizing.

Conclusion: Results show that patients with chronic pain have negative lockout consequences, including self-perceived pain increases. The use of remote pain treatment aims to decrease pain catastrophizing and improve health. For this sensitive demographic, actions like physical exercise may be useful.