Effects of the Pandemic Process on Chronic Low Back and Neck Pain According to the Presence of COVID-19 History

Abstract

Purpose: The pandemic period has led to marked changes in daily routines, psychosocial well-being, and health-related behaviors, which may influence pain perception and coping strategies in individuals with persistent spinal pain. Previous findings suggest that these changes, including reduced physical activity, increased psychosocial stress, and decreased quality of life, may also occur in individuals without direct exposure to the COVID-19 virus. However, it remains unclear whether the presence of a prior COVID-19 infection further modifies these outcomes in people with chronic low back and neck pain. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic period on individuals with chronic low back and neck pain by comparing those with and without a history of COVID-19. Method: Pain severity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pain-related cognitive responses were assessed using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), cognitive performance was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), physical activity level was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Eighty-four individuals with chronic spinal pain (42 with low back pain and 42 with neck pain) were included. Participants with a history of COVID-19 had significantly higher activity pain levels (VAS: 7.56±1.58 vs 5.56±2.06;p<0.001) and higher PCS scores (p<0.05). In addition, SF-36 emotional health and general health perception scores were significantly lower in individuals with prior COVID-19 infection (p<0.001) No significant differences were observed between groups in MoCA or IPAQ scores (p>0.05). Discussion: The findings indicate that a history of COVID-19 may be associated with additional negative outcomes in individuals with chronic low back and neck pain beyond the general challenges of the pandemic period. These results highlight the importance of evaluating pain-related cognitive responses and emotional health in this population, particularly among those with prior COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• Pandemic
• Long COVID
• Back Pain
• Pain Catastrophizing
• Quality Of Life

Supporting Institution

This study was conducted at Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey. No external financial support was received.

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Hacettepe University (Approval No: GO 21/794). All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation.

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