Craniocervical Pain, Sleep Quality, Depressive Symptoms, and Physical Activity in Healthcare Workers During COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: An increase in the workload and use of personal protective equipment by healthcare workers was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the connections between craniocervical structures, symptoms such as neck pain and temporomandibular symptoms could be influenced by the use of PPE. Aims: To assess the prevalence of craniocervical pain, sleep quality, physical activity, and depressive symptoms and relationship among craniocervical symptoms in healthcare workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: Healthcare workers. Settings: An online questionnaire included a self -report of craniocervical pain intensity [orofacial pain, neck pain, and headache (Numerical Rating Scale)], sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire two items) and physical activity (self -report). Methods: The sample analysis was performed by descriptive statistics, the paired t -test was used to compare symptoms intensity before and during the pandemic. The relationship between dependent and independent samples was assessed through McNemar test, Pearson's chi -squared test, and Student's independent t -test. A value of p < .05 was adopted as statistical significance. Results: Overall, 147 participants replied the questionnaires. Headache, neck pain, and orofacial pain complaints increased during the pandemic in healthcare workers ( p < 0.001). Craniocervical pain was correlated with poor sleep quality, probable depression, and physical activity during the pandemic ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Healthcare workers self -reported more craniocervical pain during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. In addition, poor sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and physical inactivity were associated with craniocervical symptoms during this period. (c) 2024 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.