Evaluation of body balance and its correlation with anxiety, depression and stress symptoms in post-COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Introduction: Coranavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a multisystemic condition that can affect the respiratory, locomotor and postural systems, as well as emotional aspects. Objective: Considering that changes in emotional factors can affect postural control, this study aimed to assess body balance and its correlation with symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress in post-COVID-19 patients. Methods: An cross-sectional study was conducted with 60 adults split into control (n=30) and post-COVID-19 (n=30) groups. Postural balance in both groups was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Mini-BESTest (MBT). Additionally, Anxiety, depression and stress symptoms were assessed with the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The Mann-Whitney non-parametric test for independent samples was used to compare the scores obtained in the balance tests and emotional aspects of the DASS-21 between the groups (control and post COVID-19). Spearman's correlation test was used to correlate the results of the balance tests with the DASS 21. Results: no significant differences in balance tests were observed between the control and post COVID-19 groups. In the post COVID-19 group, all the balance tests were positively correlated with the emotional aspect of depression on the DASS-21 scale. Furthermore, a positive and moderate correlation was observed between stress and the MBT balance test. Conclusion: The assessment of emotional aspects may better explain balance instability, assisting in the evaluation and intervention of the motor rehabilitation of individuals with sequelae resulting from COVID-19.