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

Jordi Miró, Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez, Alexandra Ferreira-Valente, José Pais-Ribeiro and Antonella Ciaramella
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Jordi Miró: Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain—ALGOS, Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Catalonia, Spain
Elisabet Sánchez-Rodríguez: Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain—ALGOS, Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Catalonia, Spain
Alexandra Ferreira-Valente: William James Center for Research, ISPA—University Institute, 1100-304 Lisbon, Portugal
José Pais-Ribeiro: William James Center for Research, ISPA—University Institute, 1100-304 Lisbon, Portugal
Antonella Ciaramella: Lab. of Psychosomatic, GIFT Institute of Integrative Medicine, 56126 Pisa, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-9

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; social distancing measures; pain; fatigue (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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