Impact of COVID-19 on people with physical disabilities: A rapid review.
Audrey Lebrasseur, Noémie Fortin-Bédard, Josiane Lettre and 8 others
PMID 33158795WHAT IT FOUND
People with physical disabilities faced major disruptions to care, including suspended physiotherapy and transportation barriers.
While some reported worse sleep and mood, others showed resilience or even improved sexual satisfaction. No single consistent pattern of harm emerged across the small number of studies.
Key findings
01Access to services was the most frequently reported impact, with studies citing discontinued physiotherapy, insufficient transportation, and difficulty finding medications.
02Mental health and sleep outcomes were mixed: some patients reported behavioral disturbances and worse sleep, while another study found no difference in depression or anxiety levels during lockdown.
03Physical activity levels decreased significantly in patients with neuromuscular disease, but reductions in chronic pain populations were not statistically significant.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review included only 11 studies, which is a very small base for drawing broad conclusions. Ten of the eleven studies were rated as level 4 evidence (cross-sectional or low-level designs), meaning they cannot prove causation. The search was limited to English and French and excluded grey literature and non-peer-reviewed data. No studies included children, so the impact on pediatric physical disabilities is unknown. Most studies focused on neurological conditions (stroke, MS, ALS), leaving other physical disabilities like amputations or musculoskeletal conditions underrepresented.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interests. The review was funded by Quebec research networks (CIRRIS, REPAR, RQRV) and the Quebec Health Research Fund.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that all people with physical disabilities experienced worsened mental health or physical decline. The studies showed mixed results, with some patients reporting no change in anxiety or depression, and others even reporting improved social or sexual function. The primary consistent finding was disruption to services, not necessarily a uniform deterioration in patient health.