Kinesiophobia, Physical Activity, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Levels in Post COVID-19 Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Kinesiophobia, inactivity and mood disturbances in post-COVID-19 individuals are poorly investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare measures of kinesiophobia, physical activity, depression, anxiety and stress in post-COVID-19 individuals and healthy individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 25 November 2021 and 30 December 2021. The individuals were recruited from the general community. Kinesiophobia was assessed with the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, physical activity levels with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short-Form, and mood (depression, anxiety, and stress) with the Depression Anxiety Stress-21 Scale in all individuals. Results: There were 29 volunteer individuals who had COVID-19 with a mean age of 33.41±7.95 years. Healthy controls consisted of 20 volunteers with a mean age of 31.3±7.81 years. Anxiety (55.2% versus 20%) and stress (34.5% versus 5%) were observed more frequently in the post-COVID-19 group. The scores for kinesiophobia and anxiety were significantly higher in post-COVID-19 individuals than healthy individuals (p<0.05). The scores for physical activity, depression and stress were similar between groups (p>0.05). Significant correlations were found among post-COVID-19 individuals for i) the scores for kinesiophobia and stress, and ii) the scores for physical activity, stress, and depression (p<0.05). There was no relationship between kinesiophobia and other outcomes in healthy individuals (p>0.05). Conclusion: Although a high degree of kinesiophobia is observed in both post-COVID-19 and healthy individuals, kinesiophobia, anxiety and stress measures were higher in people exposed to COVID-19 than others. In post-COVID-19 individuals, kinesiophobia increased as stress increased, and physical activities decreased while stress and depression increased. Hence, exercises, physical activities and psychological counseling should be recommended to individuals exposed to COVID-19.

Kinesiophobia, Dyspnea, Pain, Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Balance in Adolescent Volleyball Players Who Have Had COVID-19

“…Consistent with the results of this study, although high levels of kinesiophobia were reported in some of the adolescent volleyball players with and without post-COVID-19 in our study, kinesiophobia scores were similar between our groups. The kinesiophobia scores were found to be higher in adult individuals with post-COVID-19 compared to healthy adults who were evaluated in the second year of the pandemic [3,4]. Contrary to the results of these studies, in our study, no difference was found in terms of kinesiophobia scores in adolescent volleyball players with and without post-COVID-19.…”

“…No statistically significant difference was found between the groups when the kinesiophobia, dyspnea, pain and fatigue felt at rest and during activities, depression, stress, static and dynamic balance scores of the volleyball players were compared ( No statistically significant differences were found in the rates of high degree of kinesiophobia, dyspnea, pain, and fatigue at rest and during activities, depression, anxiety, and stress (Table In the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidences of physical inactivity and kinesiophobia, defined as the fear of movement, have increased in individuals due to mandatory restrictions and quarantine rules [2][3][4]. It has been found that the kinesiophobia scores were similarly higher in elderly individuals with and without COVID-19 [2].…”

“…Due to the rapid transmission feature of COVID-19, mandatory restrictions and strict quarantine rules have been applied in all parts of the society for a long time all over the world. For this reason, the incidences of kinesiophobia defined as the fear of moving, anxiety, depression, and stress, have increased in both individuals with post-COVID-19 and without post-COVID-19 [2][3][4][5]. Although children have been less affected by the COVID-19 pandemic than adults, depressive symptoms and anxiety have also been observed in children and adolescents during this period [6,7].…”

“…It was also shown in the study published by Barğı in 2022 that the anxiety score may be higher in adults who have had COVID-19 compared to adults who have not had COVID-19[4]. Adult individuals with and without post-COVID-19 were included in this newly published study, and the measurements were taken from these individuals in November 2021 and December 2021[4].…”

Post-COVID Syndrome: From the Perspective of Physiatrists

“…Higher kinesiophobia levels are associated with decreased physical activity (35). Studies have also shown that older men with post-COVID-19 sarcopenia experienced kinesiophobia (36,37).…”