The Symptom Experience and Functioning of Non-Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Within the First 20 days.

The adverse physical, psychological, and mental health consequences associated with COVID-19 illness are well-documented. However, how specific symptoms change over time and how COVID-19 affects one's day-to-day activities of daily living (ADL), Quality of Life (QoL), sleep quality, and fatigue severity are not well described. This longitudinal and descriptive study examined the changes in COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity within the first 20 days. A convenience sample (n = 41) of non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were recruited and followed for 20 days. Participants completed self-report measures: COVID-19 symptoms, ADL, QoL, sleep quality, and fatigue severity at days: 1, 10, and 20 following a diagnosis. Findings revealed that symptoms decreased over 20 days (p < .001). In parallel with the decrease in symptoms, QoL and ADL improved over 20 days (p < .05). However, sleep quality and fatigue severity did not improve within 20 days (p > .05). Our findings contribute to the growing evidence that COVID-19 symptoms can linger, especially fatigue and sleep quality, that affect overall day-to-day functioning for at least 20 days after diagnosis. To mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on QOL and ADL, findings underscore the need for clinicians to work collaboratively with patients to develop a symptom management plan for a variety of symptoms including fatigue and sleep quality. Beginning to repurpose existing self-management strategies for the longer term COVID-19 symptoms could be beneficial and help to optimize patient outcomes. Future work should examine these variables over a longer timeframe and among different samples of non-hospitalized patients.

The effect of foot plantar massage on balance and functional reach in patients with type II diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of manual foot plantar massage (classic and friction massage) on functional mobility level, balance, and functional reach in patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2 DM). METHODS: A total of 38 subjects diagnosed with T2 DM were included in the study. A healthy control group could not be formed in this study. After the subjects' socio-demographic data were obtained, Timed Up & Go (TUG) Test, functional reach test (FRT), one-leg standing test with eyes open-closed, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to measure foot pain intensity were performed. The results were also divided and assessed in three groups according to the ages of the individuals (40-54, 55-64, and 65 and over). RESULTS: As a result of statistical analysis, a difference was found in the values obtained from TUG, FRT, and one-leg standing test with eyes open and closed (p < 0.05). Following the massage, TUG values significantly decreased comparison with those before the massage, whereas the values of FRT and one-leg standing test with eyes open and closed significantly increased compared with those before the massage (p > 0.05). According to age groups, there were statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the TUG, one-leg standing test with eyes open and closed test values of the individuals before and after the massage. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicated that application of plantar massage to patients with T2 DM caused an improvement in balance, functional mobility, and functional reach values. An increase in body balance and functional mobility may explain the improvement in TUG. Foot massage to be added to rehabilitation exercise programs of DM patients will be important in improving balance and mobility of patients.

The relationship between physical, functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people with a chronic disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical and functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) among elderly people who have a chronic disease. The study included 100 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older, who have a chronic disease. The study examined the marital and educational status, social security status, kind of chronic disease, number of chronic diseases and whether participants use assistive devices for walking. The Nottingham health profile (NHP) was used to evaluate QoL related to health; the physical mobility scale (PMS) was used to evaluate mobility in daily life and the functional independent measure (FIM) was used to evaluate functional independence in daily activities. In both female and male individuals, a statistically significant difference was found between the number of chronic diseases, kind of chronic disease, educational status, marital status, total FIM, PMS and NHP values (p<0.05). In males, there was a correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p<0.05), but in females, there were no correlation between number of chronic illnesses and total NHP, FIM (p>0.05). There were no correlations between kind of chronic disease and PMS, NHP, FIM (p>0.05) in either of genders. It was found that there are differences among elderly female and male individuals with a chronic disease in terms of the number of chronic diseases, types of chronic disease, mobility level, functional status and QoL; and mobility level is related to functional capacity and QoL in females. It is thought that the rehabilitation programs to improve physical and functional capacity in elderly people and applications that increase participation in activities and reduce pain may improve QoL.

The effect of functional mobility and balance on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly people living at home and those living in nursing home.

The present study examined the effect of functional mobility and balance on HRQoL among elderly people living at home and those living in nursing homes. The study included 122 elderly people aged 65 and over. With regard to the individuals whose socio-demographic data were collected in the scope of the study, balance and functional mobility levels were evaluated using the timed up and go test (TUG) and Berg balance scale (BBS); HRQoL was evaluated using the Nottingham health profile (NHP); physical independence in daily activities was evaluated using the Barthel index (BI); and basic mobility in daily life was evaluated using the Rivermead mobility index (RMI). Statistically significant differences were found between the TUG, BBS and NHP values of the elderly people living in a home environment and those living in nursing homes (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference could be found between the BI and RMI values (p>0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between the NHP and TUG, RMI, BI and the use of assistive devices in daily life activities (p<0.05). It is thought that the inclusion of functional mobility and balance training in elderly care and rehabilitation programs would be useful for the elderly people to develop functional independence and in increasing their HRQoL.

[The relation between health-related quality of life and pain, depression, anxiety, and functional independence in persons with chronic physical disability]. / Kronik fiziksel özürlü bireylerde agri, depresyon, anksiyete ve fonksiyonel bagimsizlik ile yasam kalitesi arasindaki iliski.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the relation between health- related quality of life and pain, depression, anxiety, and functional independence. METHODS: The study included 82 healthy subjects aged 38.18+/-11.06 and 89 physically disabled subjects aged 37.72+/-16.40. Physical and social characteristics of the subjects such as age, height, length, weight, gender, occupational and marital status, and level of education were recorded. Visual Analogue Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Nottingham Health Profile, and Functional Independence Measure were used to evaluate pain, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and functional independence, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to healthy individuals, chronically disabled subjects had higher pain, depression and anxiety and lower quality of life scores. Between-group comparison showed that there was a significant difference in pain, depression, anxiety levels and health-related quality of life (p<0.05). Similarly, both healthy and disabled individuals indicated a negative correlation between pain, depression, anxiety and quality of life (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In individuals with chronic disabilities, pain may induce serious psychological problems, negatively affecting quality of life. This study showed that in chronically disabled individuals, there is a strong correlation between pain, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. These results should be considered carefully when planning assessment and rehabilitation programs for individuals with chronic disabilities.