Dados do Trabalho

Título

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REDUCES THE WORSENING IN MENTAL-HEALTH AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PEOPLE LIVING WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Resumo

Anxiety and depression are common non-motor alterations in PD. Increased levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic may have several short-term as well as long-term adverse consequences for this population. Reduced physical activity during the pandemic may contribute to increased psychological stress, thereby further aggravates the worsening in quality of life.Objective: To investigate the impact of interruption in physical activities due to physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health condition and quality of life in people living with Parkinson's disease.Methods: 463 individuals with confirmed PD diagnosis mean age of 67.2 years (SD=9.5), in stage 1 – 3 of disease evolution according to Hoehn and Yahr classification, living in 14 different cities representative of 5 different geo-economic regions, participated in the present study. After presenting the informed consent form, and expressing agreement to participate in the study, participants were asked to answer, through telephone interviews, a previously established questionnaire that investigates: (1) general information; (2) socio-economic status; (3) information associated with PD; (4) quality of life worsening; (5) health conditions related to COVID-19; (6) mental health worsening; (7) fear of falling; (8) level of physical activity; (9) cognitive health conditions and (10) motor and non-motor aspects of daily life experience. The participants were divided into two groups, according to their self-reported physical activity profile: PA group (PAG) with 327 participants, and no PA group (NPAG), with 136 participants. The comparison of the mental health worsening and quality of life worsening between two groups was analyzed by ANOVA one-way.Results: The groups were comparable in clinical aspects. The ANOVA showed a significant statistical difference between the groups for the mental health worsening; (F1, 461=5.95, p=.015, ES= .78), and quality of life worsening (F1, 461=8.1, p=.004, ES= .81). The Tukey post-hoc confirmed a more severe worsening in the mental health condition and quality of life for NPAG than PAG. Besides, the worsening in mental health and in quality of life was directly correlated (R=.49; p<.0001).Conclusion: The interruption in PA due to physical distancing during the COVID19 pandemic promoted more severe worsening in mental health conditions and quality of life in people living with PD.