Impact of lockdown on musculoskeletal health due to COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh: A cross sectional survey study

• Main Authors: Sohel Ahmed, Rahemun Akter, Mohammad Jahirul Islam, Amena Abdul Muthalib, Asima Akter Sadia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-06-01
• Series: Heliyon
• Subjects: Cross sectional study; Coronavirus; Lockdown; Pain; Physical activity
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844021014389

Background: During the nationwide lockdown implemented by the government of Bangladesh due to the coronavirus, has led to the various changes in the overall activities and lifestyle. Most of the people began living a sedentary lifestyle, spending more time on their phone, watching television and excessive sleeping. Reduction of physical activity level had profoundly negative impact on musculoskeletal health. Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of lockdown on musculoskeletal health, association between leisure and musculoskeletal pain during this period. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among general populations living in a specific area of Bangladesh by simple random sampling methods. A total of 230 participants both male (182) and female (48) age group between 18-60 years have participated. The study was carried out by sending the Google Form link containing demographic questionnaire, numeric pain rating scale and Nordic musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Wilcoxon sign rank t and Chi squire test was used to analyze the data. Results: The mean height, weight and BMI of the participants were 164.17 ± 8.40 cm, 63.82 ± 10.70 kg and 23.74 ± 3.97 kg/m2 respectively. There was significant increase in time spent in watching television (p= < 0.0001), using smartphone (p= < 0.0001) and sleeping (p= < 0.0001) during the lockdown period. 33.9% participants had pain before the lockdown which increased by 57% during the lockdown periods. There was a significant association between pain intensity and sleeping time (X2 = 54.84; p= < 0.0001), time spent watching television (X2 = 83.70; <0.0001), time spent on smartphone (X2 = 58.39; <0.0001) during the lockdown period. Conclusion: The result of this study concluded that the lockdown has negatively impacted the musculoskeletal health of the participants. The musculoskeletal pain might be short term initially, but can develop to be a long-term problem and burden if proper measures are not taken.