The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on the use of health and rehabilitation services, physical and general health conditions of individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) from the perspective of parents. A questionnaire consisting of 35 questions was created by the research team. The data were obtained from the parents/primary caregivers of individuals whose diagnoses were confirmed by genetic testing and accessed online via the DMD Families Association. It was reported that 5.5% of the 272 individuals with DMD (age: 10.43±6.42 years) included in the study were infected with COVID-19. It was observed that the major problems encountered during the pandemic were obtaining health services (81%) and stress management (42%). More than half of the individuals were found to be adversely affected in general health (52%), mobility (56%), range of motion (54%), mood (66%), and social dialogs (62%). Furthermore, it was determined that 71% of the individuals took a break from the center where they received outpatient physiotherapy for 3 months or more, and only 6% could receive telerehabilitation service and the level of satisfaction was relatively moderate (10-point visual analog scale: 6.3±2.6). The parents reported that the health care utilization and physical-general health status of individuals with DMD were significantly adversely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study has an exploratory feature regarding the problems faced by individuals with DMD during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we think that it will guide future studies in preventing the negative effects of situations such as pandemics or natural disasters.

Purpose: Temporomandibular dysfunction and bruxism are common problems. Academicians have physical and emotional risk factors that may be associated with temporomandibular dysfunction due to excessive workload and psychological stress. The aim of this study was to reveal the emotional and physical determinants of temporomandibular dysfunction and bruxism in academicians. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-six (217 female and 79 male) academicians working in higher education institutions with a mean age of 35.31 ± 9.20 years, were included in the study. Daily computer time of the participants was questioned. International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied via online surveys. Results: It was demonstrated that 92.9% of the participants were physically inactive or minimal active, 36% showed depressive symptoms, 69.2% had neck disability, 24 % had and moderate-severe temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms, and 44% had bruxism. Bruxers found to have higher BDI (p<0.05) and FAI (p<0.001) levels compared to non-bruxers. Significant positive correlations between FAI and BDI (r=0.316, p<0.001), FAI and NDI (r=0.526, p<0.001), BDI and NDI (r=0.527, p<0.001) was found. Presence of bruxism (β=0.361, p<0.001) and greater NDI (β=0.442, p<0.001) were each uniquely associated with greater FAI score. Daily computer time, IPAQ, and BDI were not associated with FAI score (p>0.05). Conclusion: Key factors of temporomandibular joint dysfunction appear to be physical parameters such as neck disability and bruxism in academics. However, psychological symptoms and physical activity level do not seem to be independent determinants of temporomandibular dysfunction.