Psychological Effects Resulting From COVID-19 and Rehabilitation Intervention: A Review of Literature

Considering that only about a year and a half have passed since the COVID-19 epidemic and the priority of the health care system has been to pay attention to symptoms and physical problems of this disease to prevent its further spread, there is insufficient evidence about psychological issues resulting from COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to partially review psychological problems caused by COVID-19 in patients and treatment staff and rehabilitation strategies to solve this problem. 

A search through in Medline, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases was performed by combining keywords related to COVID-19 (such as coronavirus), restrictive measures (such as quarantine, segregation, social distancing), and psychological outcomes (such as psychosis, depression) and instructions (such as guidance, management, rehabilitation). All articles were written in English and aimed at the psychological disorders and factors associated with the coronavirus. Given that only about a year and a half has passed since the introduction of COVID-19, the period of the reviewed articles was selected between 2019 and 2021.

Reviewing related studies, 18 original articles were considered. Overall, the literature showed that COVID-19 had changed the lifestyle. COVID-19, in addition to physical symptoms and mortality, has adverse psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, fear, and excitement. However, these symptoms are not very severe in most cases. Psychological problems can be more severe in specific groups, such as pregnant women or people with underlying issues. In countries with a history of epidemics, internet-based systems have been developed to assess and treat psychological problems in patients with COVID-19. Rehabilitation intervention can also positively improve the patient's breathing, thereby reducing psychological issues.

COVID-19 can cause psychological problems for the patient and physical symptoms. On the other hand, changes in people's lifestyles following the outbreak of COVID-19, such as travel restrictions, quarantine, social distancing, and business sluggishness, may also contribute to the psychological disorders following the COVID-19 pandemic. The psychological problems caused by COVID-19 in some special groups, such as pregnant women, health care providers, and children, need to be addressed. Rehabilitation interventions and raising public awareness can effectively improve the psychological situation.