ABSTRACT
In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, New York City enforced a "shelter-in-place" order from March 20 to June 13, 2020. This study aims to explore the impact of self-isolation resulting from this order on individuals with chronic pain. The primary outcomes, assessed through the Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire, included self-rated pain scores and functional scores. A total of 65 participants completed the questionnaire during the quarantine period and again during the reopening phase from July 1 to August 31, 2020. While most self-rated pain scores showed no significant difference between the two periods, 24-Hour Worst Pain demonstrated improvement in the post-quarantine period (median 0; IQR [-1, 0]; p = 0.034). Notably, various functional scores, such as General Activity, Mood, Normal Work, Relations, Sleep, and Enjoyment of Life, exhibited substantial improvement post-quarantine, resulting in an overall functional score difference of -1.30 on average (p < 0.001). Despite stable self-rated pain scores, the study reveals a significant increase in disability during quarantine, possibly attributed to factors like fear, social isolation, and resource scarcity. The findings underscore the importance of holistic pain management considering psychosocial factors.