Decrease in Mobility during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Association with Increase in Depression among Older Adults:...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic poses risks to older adults' well-being.
• Assessing the pandemic's impact on physical activity and sleep in community-dwelling older adults is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure changes in physical activity and sleep patterns in older adults from pre-pandemic to post-pandemic declaration.
• To investigate the relationship between physical activity, sleep, and depression symptoms during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Remote assessment of physical activity and sleep using a pendant-wearable system in 10 older adults (mean age 77.3 years).
• Assessment of depression symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale pre- and post-pandemic.
• Comparison of physical activity data (48h monitoring) before and during the pandemic.

Main Results:

• Post-pandemic, significant declines were observed in standing (32.7%), walking (52.2%), step-counts (55.1%), and postural transitions (44.6%).
• Sitting duration increased by 20.5%, and depression symptoms rose by 150%.
• Increased depression correlated with prolonged sitting, reduced cadence, and longer sleep duration.

Conclusions:

• This longitudinal study highlights the negative impact of the pandemic on objectively measured physical activity and sleep in older adults.
• Findings underscore the need for timely interventions to mitigate the potentially irreversible consequences of reduced physical activity, such as depression.