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