Late Breaking Research Poster
Changes in Physical Activity, Health, and Wellness Experienced by Persons with Neurologic Impairments During the COVID-19 Pandemic

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2020.10.020Get rights and content

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Research Objectives

To gauge the impact of the sudden withdrawal (following COVID-19 restrictions) of on-going, regular, individualized, technology-supported physical therapy and exercise on a cohort of individuals with neurological impairments training across two, general-population community fitness centers.

Design

Self-administered survey.

Setting

Online.

Participants

N, 40; male, 21; age (5-81; mean=45.61); etiology (spinal cord injury,=18; multiple sclerosis=5; cerebral palsy=4; Parkinson’s disease=2; stroke=3; other=8).

Interventions

Individuals barred from their regular, fitness center-based, personalized regimens of physical activity (PA) completed a 41-question survey of their wellness approximately one month (days: median =39.61, mean=39.64; stdv =5.54; range=33-50) into COVID-19 shutdown.

Main Outcome Measures

Perceived changes in outlook, physical and emotional well-being; PA regimen at home versus usual fitness-center program; changes in function, medication use.

Results

35% of respondents perceived a decrease in mental outlook; 32.5%, diminished emotional wellbeing; and 22.5%, physical health decline. 72.5% reported diminished social connectedness and 60% reported increased feelings of depression/anxiety. 42.5% stated a worsened attitude. All respondents attempted PA at home: stretching, 80%; strength training, 40%; sitting balance, 42.5%; standing balance, 40%; cardio, 37.5%, and walking, 47.5%. 25% used standing frames and/or home, vibrational tilt

Conclusions

The COVID-19 emergency showed that as little as a month’s withdrawal of optimized PA can diminish function and quality of life. This demonstration underscores the key role of regular and personally adapted PA in neurological disability.

Author(s) Disclosures

None.

Keywords

COVID-19, Quality of Life, Fitness Centers, Walking, Vibration

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