In the literature, there are studies examining the effects of telerehabilitation on individuals who have had COVID-19, but studies examining the effects on healthcare workers who have experienced COVID-19 are insufficient. In this study, which is planned to be done, it is aimed to examine the effects of myofascial relaxation technique on pain and other symptoms through telerehabilitation. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of myofascial relaxation technique applied with the telerehabilitation method on pain level, anxiety, depression, sleep, fatigue and kinesiophobia in healthcare workers with and without COVID-19 infection with pain.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute coronavirus 2 infection and declared as a
pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. In the period from March 11,
when the first case was announced in Turkey, to the present day, the total number of cases
has exceeded 2.3 million. COVID-19 is mainly transmitted by air droplets, aerosols and direct
contact, and asymptomatic carriers are the main reason for rapid spread. While many
professional groups are working at home during the pandemic process; the risk of contracting
COVID-19 has increased, especially in healthcare workers working in high-risk departments of
hospitals where COVID-19 patients are treated.
Along with symptoms such as fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, common musculoskeletal
problems such as muscle pain, joint pain and fatigue, anxiety, depression and deterioration
in sleep quality have been observed in COVID-19 patients. It can take weeks to get over the
COVID-19 disease; however, some symptoms persist even after the infection has cleared. The
continuation of physical, cognitive and psychological problems in COVID-19 patients
recovering from the acute phase of the disease is called 'Post-COVID-19 Syndrome'. A good
evaluation and treatment is required to prevent these symptoms in individuals with COVID-19.
Telerehabilitation refers to providing rehabilitation services using electronic communication
technologies. In the current pandemic process, the use of telerehabilitation has increased
all over the world to help patients without compromising the social distance rule. There is
no need for protective equipment as there is no physical contact during telerehabilitation
sessions. As a result, patient satisfaction and treatment efficiency are increased by
enabling more effective and natural human interaction.
In the literature, there are studies examining the effects of telerehabilitation on
individuals who have had COVID-19, but studies examining the effects on healthcare workers
who have experienced COVID-19 are insufficient. In this study, which is planned to be done,
it is aimed to examine the effects of myofascial relaxation technique on pain and other
symptoms through telerehabilitation. The aim of the study is to examine the effects of
myofascial relaxation technique applied with the telerehabilitation method on pain level,
anxiety, depression, sleep, fatigue and kinesiophobia in healthcare workers with and without
COVID-19 infection with pain.
Other: Progressive Myofascial Relaxation Exercise
Participants will be given telerehabilitation methods, progressive myofascial relaxation techniques and simple posture correction exercises every other day for 2 weeks. The exercises will be performed as follows:
First, focus on creating tension in the body by contracting all your body muscles and feeling the body tension by holding this tight position for 3-5 seconds. Then relax and relax and focus on feeling the relaxed position of the muscles for 10-15 seconds. Then, the same contraction and relaxation movements will be applied in the feet, legs, hips, waist, chest, shoulders, arms and face areas, respectively. They will be asked to do these exercises in the morning and evening while lying in bed.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pain associated with COVID-19 infection and persistence of this condition after
infection
- Presence of non-COVID-19 related pain and no history of COVID-19 infection
- Being a health worker and working actively
- Volunteering
Exclusion Criteria:
- Using psychiatric medication
- Continuing history of active COVID-19 infection
Ceyhun TOPCUOĞLU
Merkez, Bolu, Turkey