'COVID-19 and its impact on people with neuromuscular conditions' Survey Report
Muscular Dystrophy organisations from around the country have pulled together to capture vital information on the experiences of people living with neuromuscular conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In July 2020, a three-week survey was conducted to identify the impact of COVID-19 on people with neuromuscular conditions, their families and carers.
The survey was conducted by Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia, in conjunction with survey partners Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia, Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania, Muscular Dystrophy Queensland, Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy New South Wales and Muscular Dystrophy Australia.
There were 223 participants from across Australia with an unexpectedly high weighting from Victoria and an older age demographic. The results suggest people with neuromuscular conditions faced similar emotional and isolation challenges related to COVID-19 to the general public but faced a greater impact in relation to mental health. This included a general deterioration in mental health in broad terms due to a variety of COVID-19 factors with feelings of anxiousness, disappointment and rising frustration.
