Comparison of the Activity Level and Quality of Life of Individuals With Physical Disabilities, Those Who Continue and do Not Continue Rehabilitation During COVID-19

Studies on COVID-19, which is spreading rapidly all over the world, show that the pediatric population is less affected than the adult and elderly population. Respiratory complications are the leading cause of death in the chronic neuropediatric population. During the pandemic, rehabilitation staff such as physiotherapists are at risk of transmission and therefore their activities should be suspended. For this reason, a 3-month quarantine was applied for individuals who went to special education and rehabilitation in our country from March 2020 to June 2020, and face-to-face sessions could not be continued in rehabilitation.

The negative effects of social isolation in children and adolescents during the pandemic affect mental and physical health. Studies show the importance of physical rehabilitation for pediatric patients with chronic neurological disorders. Rehabilitation is not continuous; It may cause soft tissue contractures, bone deformities, decline in motor functions, dysphagia and respiratory difficulties, among other complications. Pediatric patients with neurological disorders may also experience decline in motor function. Although it is known that rehabilitation services have started again with the strict implementation of social distance and hygiene rules in our country as of June 2020; while some of the physically disabled individuals continue their rehabilitation, those who do not continue with rehabilitation are at a considerable level. Therefore, our study; it will be made in order to compare the quality of life and physical activity levels of physically disabled individuals who continue and do not continue rehabilitation during COVID-19.

Following the approval of the ethics committee, a questionnaire will be applied to 18 children with physical disabilities who continue rehabilitation and 18 children with physical disabilities but who do not continue rehabilitation during COVID-19. The study will start with the approval of the ethics committee and is planned to be completed in October 2021, within 6 months.

The gross motor levels of the children who meet the inclusion criteria and whose families voluntarily accept to participate in the study are determined according to KMFSS, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ) and Quality of Life Scale for Children (PedsQL) questionnaires will be applied to both children who continue special education and rehabilitation during COVID-19 and children who are not.