Investigation of the physical and emotional status of elderly individuals with and without COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

AIM: This study aimed to compare balance, functional mobility, activities of daily living (ADLs), quality of life (QoL), fear of COVID-19, and depression between older adults with and without a history of COVID-19, and to explore the associations between physical and emotional outcomes in both groups. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included 52 older adults with COVID-19 evaluated during the acute pre-discharge phase and 55 older adults without COVID-19 from the same region. Balance, functional mobility, ADLs, QoL, fear of COVID-19, and depression were assessed using validated measures. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Age-adjusted ANCOVA was conducted as a sensitivity analysis. Spearman correlations and Fisher's z comparisons examined group-specific associations. RESULTS: Older adults with COVID-19 had poorer balance, functional mobility, and ADLs independence, lower QoL, and higher fear of COVID-19 and depression than controls. These differences remained significant after age adjustment. In the COVID-19 group, fear of COVID-19 and depression were associated with poorer functional mobility, lower balance scores, and lower ADLs independence. Fear of COVID-19 was not associated with physical function in controls. Fisher's z comparisons showed stronger negative associations of depression with functional mobility and ADLs independence in the COVID-19 group. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults recovering from COVID-19 showed coexisting physical and emotional impairments. Physical function and emotional status, particularly depression, functional mobility, and ADLs independence, appear interrelated. Rehabilitation and nursing care should address both physical and psychosocial needs to support functional independence and reintegration into daily life after COVID-19 or similar acute health events.