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

Abstract

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.

Stronger association of perceived health with socio-economic inequality during COVID-19 pandemic than pre-pandemic era

“…Higher level of educational attainment facilitates social contact of elderly population (in their mid-60s) during the COVID-19 pandemic [56]. In addition to the availability of charitable assistance [57], educational attainment [13,58] and monthly household income [13,[57][58][59] could affect treatment seeking intention, perceived physical health, and health-related quality of life in patients diagnosed with physical disease (such as pain disorder, stroke, or congenital heart disease). Moreover, college education could facilitate navigation and utilization of a complex healthcare system [60].…”

“…At initial phase of pandemic, sense of isolation was suffered from half of the population with experience of lockdown [12]. In the later phase (late 2021), increased intensity of pain and fatigue were reported patients with pain disorder [13].…”

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

“…In this study, only data from 434 potential participants that provided complete information were included. Although two articles have been published using data from this survey [ 16 , 17 ], neither of them addressed the question that is the focus of the current study.…”

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on physical activity of individuals with a spinal cord injury in Belgium: Observational study

“…Regarding pain, this trial is the first to evaluate this factor among patients with SCI. Miro et al found increased pain intensity during the late stages of the lockdown among individuals with chronic pain in Spain [17] . However, although pain is the primary symptom of these patients, this is rarely the case for SCI.…”