ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the changes in knee pain, a dominant cause of physical disability, following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and to identify factors affecting the changes in knee pain. METHODS: We analyzed the pre- and post-COVID-19 longitudinal dataset of the Nagahama Study. Knee pain was assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS). The estimated KSS from the age and sex using regression model in the pre- and post-COVID-19 dataset was compared. Factors including the activity score, educational level, and various impacts of COVID-19 were analyzed for correlation analyses with changes in KSS. RESULTS: Data collected from 6409 participants showed statistically significant differences in KSS, pre- (mean = 22.0; SD = 4.4) and post-COVID-19 (mean = 19.5; SD = 6.4). Low activity score (p = 0.008), low educational level (p < 0.001) and undesirable financial impact (p = 0.030) were independently associated with knee pain exacerbation. CONCLUSION: The harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on knee pain were suggested. People should be encouraged to engage in physical activities, such as walking, even despite the state of emergency. Furthermore, social support for economically disadvantaged groups may improve healthcare access, preventing the acute exacerbations of knee pain.
ABSTRACT
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads globally, many countries now resort to social distancing policies. However, its effectiveness varies from country to country, and the factors responsible for such variations are not yet known. In this study, we conducted a cross-country analysis of behavioral changes that accompany social distancing policies using Google Community Mobility Reports and Apple’s Mobility Trend Reports. The results revealed that (1) the impact of social distancing policies on people’s behavior varies completely across countries and time periods, even with the same policy stringency, and (2) not only strong behavioral regulations but also income compensation, information provision, and vaccination policies affect behavior. Moreover, considering that long-term behavioral regulations seriously affect people’s physical and mental health and communities, policymakers must well combine direct regulations and indirect policies.
ABSTRACT
We analyze changes in lifestyle, income, and social capital with COVID-19 and social distancing policy, based on a questionnaire survey conducted in Japan during 2020 from a perspective of Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI). The results of the survey show that (1) the personal impact of social distancing policy varies greatly depending on their socioeconomic situation;(2) lifestyle and income changes can have a significant impact on people’s immediate living standard and state of mind;and (3) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, social capital in the close social unit has been strengthened, but the pandemic has tended to reduce trust and solidarity in society as a whole. In order to lessen such impacts, it is important for national and local governments to provide more careful support and also to actively demonstrate accountability in policy implementation. In addition, we suggest that it is important to foster community trust on a daily basis and make the best possible use of public support.