Investigation of Fatigue, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality and Anxiety Levels

Investigation of Fatigue, Physical Activity, Sleep Quality and Anxiety Levels of Multiple Sclerosis Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Hundreds of thousands of confirmed cases have been reported worldwide, just 3 months after the first patients were identified in Wuhan, China. Just like other members of the community, MS patients are uncomfortable with the emotional distress and health anxiety caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. Most MS patients receive immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapies. Patients taking immunosuppressive agents are theoretically at increased risk of being affected by viral pandemics, and a higher health concern is expected in this group of patients. Moreover, MS patients lose social support. Patients with increased duration of stay can no longer access physical and cognitive rehabilitation therapies. We also know that increased anxiety and sleep disorders can cause MS patients to have an attack.

When literature is examined, it is known that MS patients' physical activity levels decrease, fatigue, sleep quality and anxiety levels increase, so their quality of life and participation in daily life activities decrease. MS patients lose social support during the COVID-19 outbreak. For all these reasons, we think that the fatigue, physical activity level, anxiety level and sleep disturbances affected before the COVID-19 outbreak will be further affected for these reasons.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients with a confirmed diagnosis of clinically definite MS, physician-administered Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) range of 1-5, and following the instructions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• patients with acute attacks (three months prior to the study) and those included on the physiotherapy program during the Covid-19 pandemic.