Examining the long-term effects of COVİD-19 on the musculoskeletal system

Aim: To evaluate muscle strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, fatigue, reaction time, and mood disorders in individuals with Covid-19 infection. Material and Method: One-hundred individuals, aged 20-55, who had mild to moderate Covid-19 infection at least 12 weeks ago and 50 healthy individuals, were included in the study. The demographic characteristics of both groups were recorded. Thirty-second sit and stand test, timed stand-up test, and 6-minute walk test were used to evaluate the functional capacity of individuals. The functional reach test was used for dynamic balance and Nelson hand reaction test was used to evaluate reaction time. Hand grip and lower extremity muscle strength were evaluated with a hand dynamometer, and finger grip strength was evaluated with a pinch meter. The fatigue levels of the individuals were scored according to the fatigue severity scale, and their pain levels were scored according to the pain centralization scale. Mood disorders were scored using the Beck anxiety and Beck depression questionnaires. Results: It was observed that the right and left-sided finger and hand grip strength, hip flexor and extensor muscle strength, knee flexor and extensor muscle strength, ankle dorsi and plantar flexor muscle strength were significantly weakened compared to the control group(p<0.001) . While it was observed that the functional capacity values decreased, the reaction time was prolonged, the pain centralization, the severity of fatigue, and the scoring of the beck depression scale increased significantly (p<0.001) compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in the beck anxiety value (p>0.005). Conclusion: The musculoskeletal system of individuals who have mild to moderate Covid-19 infection is severely affected. We have determined that it reduces the quality of life, especially by causing a weakening in muscle strength, a decrease in the functional capacity of the individual, pain, and fatigue.