Mid Sweden University

Background: Studies examining the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and psychological distress, including depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms in manual therapists during the COVID-19 pandemic are scarce. Aim: To describe the prevalence of psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain, and to investigate factors associated with high psychological distress and activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain in clinically active chiropractors and naprapaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants answered a questionnaire measuring the prevalence of depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between practicing in a region with a high spread of infection, hours of clinically active work/week, a previous/ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection, and high psychological distress and activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain. Results: A total of 657 participants were included in the analyses. The prevalence of depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms were 16%, 7%, and 11%, respectively. Neck (51%), low back (46%), upper back (41%), and shoulders (39%) were the most prevalent musculoskeletal pain areas. A higher number of hours clinically active work/week was associated with lower odds of high psychological distress. A previous/ongoing SARSCoV-2 infection was associated with higher odds of activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain. Conclusions: Depressive symptoms were the most prevalent psychological distress symptom, followed by stress, and anxiety, and the number of working hours was associated with lower odds thereof. Neck, low back, upper back, and shoulders were the most prevalent musculoskeletal pain areas, and a previous/ongoing SARSCoV-2 infection was associated with higher odds of activity-limiting musculoskeletal pain.