Occupational Participation and Physical Activity Among Adults Who Recovered From COVID-19 and Those Who Did Not

Although substantial evidence exists regarding persistent symptoms and functional impairment in hospital settings following COVID-19, there is a noticeable lack of data on occupational participation and physical activity in community-based settings.

To compare the levels of occupational participation and physical activity among adults who had recovered from acute COVID-19 infection and those who had not recovered.

Retrospective comparative cohort descriptive study.

Fifty English-speaking adults age 18 yr or older who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 4 yr but not within the past 6 mo were enrolled, including participants who had not recovered and those who had fully recovered.

Measures included the Occupational Self-Assessment-Short Form and Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Chi-square tests and independent-samples t tests were used for data analysis.

Individuals who did not fully recover from COVID-19 displayed significant differences in age (p = .002), marital status (p = .026), body mass index (p = .003), and disability income (p = .034) compared with those who recovered. They also reported lower competence (p = .049) in occupational participation and spent less time (p < .001) and effort (p < .001) on occupational activities.

The results confirm the Model of Human Occupation theory that physical limitations can impede a person's daily activities and restrict their participation in more strenuous tasks. Nonetheless, this does not diminish the value of occupational participation, even if they are presently engaged in lighter indoor leisure activities. Plain-Language Summary: The Model of Human Occupation theory highlights that occupational participation-how individuals engage in work, play, and daily activities within their social and cultural environments-is vital for well-being. After COVID-19, many people continue to face lingering symptoms, yet understanding of its effects on occupational participation and physical activity in community settings is limited. This study compared occupational participation and physical activity levels between adults fully recovered from acute COVID-19 and those still recovering. The results showed clear differences, with those not fully recovered feeling less competent in managing daily tasks and participating less in physically or mentally demanding activities. These findings suggest that rehabilitation programs should focus not only on improving physical abilities but also on addressing the psychological factors involved in returning to daily life.