Modification of existing occupational therapeutic protocols in response to new normal life after COVID 19: Letter to the Editor

What is it about?

Due to the fear surrounding COVID-19 and the effects of quarantine on both the general population and our patients, lack of physical activity and social activities could be considered as major risk factors for not only physical and physiological parameters, but also for the development of psychological pathology [1, 2]. Furthermore, the current situation has the potential to drastically alter the regular diet of individuals, potentially worsening existing physical and psychological health [3, 4]. Poverty or malnutrition, depression or other psychiatric pathologies, and musculoskeletal discomforts are common issues that should be addressed with modified approaches in the ‘new normal’ in the wake of COVID-19.

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Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Photo by Chang Duong on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The cessation or altering of occupational therapeutic activities by physicians due to lock-down protocols may alter the treatment protocols to some extent. Thus, these changes may become longer, more complex, and more specialized depending on the individual’s clinical and behavioral conditions and characteristics due to the ‘new normal’ after COVID-19. There are three main components of the proposed specialized COVID-19 treatment protocol that should be considered: 1) Psychological consultation 2) Nutrition consultation 3) Physical consultation Our authors call for the development of specific guidelines in each of these three areas that could then be disseminated to providers to allow for maximal therapeutic benefit.

Perspectives