Implication of frailty and disability prevention measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CoVID-19 vs. epilepsy: It is time to move, act, and encourage physical exercise

Ramadan Intermittent Fasting, Physical Activity, and COVID-19 Pandemic in Patients with Chronic Diseases

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and containment strategies employed to limit its spread have profoundly impacted daily life. Emerging evidence shows that mental health worsened compared to pre-pandemic trends. In this study, we examine associations of self-reported changes in physical activities and sedentary behaviors with mental health changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among older Irish adults. Methods: This study used data from Wave 5 (2018) and the COVID-19 study (July–November 2020) of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Depressive symptoms were measured using the 8-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale; Perceived stress, using the 4‐item Perceived Stress Scale. Participants reported perceived changes in participation in physical activities and sedentary behaviours before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. Linear regressions examined separate associations between changes in physical activities and sedentary behaviours and changes in perceived stress/depressive symptoms. Adjustment included demographics, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, chronic diseases and stress/depressive symptoms at Wave 5. Results: Among 2,645 participants (mean age, 68.2yrs; 56% female), 19.5% (95%CI: 18.2–20.9) reported clinically significant depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to before the pandemic, reduced and no exercise at home and walking were associated with increased depressive symptoms and stress. A reduction in home DIY (do it yourself) was also associated with both depression and stress while doing no DIY at all was associated with increased stress but not depressive symptoms (all p<.05). Reduced hobbies and reading were associated with higher depressive symptoms, and both reduced and increased screen time were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Greater decreases in mental health were seen among those who reported negative changes in their physical and sedentary activities. These findings have important implications for mental health care both as we transition back to normal life and for responses to future pandemics.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on society and our lives. Many older people and those with underlying medical conditions have refrained from social activities and become housebound, increasing the risk of frailty. Therefore, we developed the Home Exercise Program for Older People, a multidisciplinary program that makes it easier for older people to exercise at home. We also provide outpatient rehabilitation for not only those affected by COVID-19, but also older people with frailty who have become confined under the COVID-19 pandemic. In this chapter, we overview the situations and lives of older people in Japan under the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss preventive strategies.

Understanding Changes in Physical Activity among Lower Limb Prosthesis Users: A COVID-19 Case Series.

Perioperative Cardiac Research Considerations During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic

The prevention of major neurocognitive disorders in the next phase of COVID-19 pandemic: On being proactive

Telemedicine and the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lessons for the Future.

Risk of Increased Physical Inactivity During COVID-19 Outbreak in Older People: A Call for Actions.

The ‘third wave’: impending cognitive and functional decline in COVID-19 survivors

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent social distancing orders may have changed health behaviors adversely. This study aims to examine changes in physical activity, diet, and sleep patterns during the pandemic in South Korea and to identify the factors influencing adverse changes in these behavioral indicators. Data from the Community Health Survey conducted in 2020 with a total of 229,269 adults were used, employing multivariate logistic regression and a classification and regression tree model. Participants reported decreased physical activity (49.6%), an increase in unhealthy diet (17.0%), and decreased sleep time (9.4%). Changes in adverse health behaviors were significantly related to being female, being in poor subjective health, not having hypertension or diabetes, engaging in other unhealthy behaviors, and complying with COVID-19 prevention guidelines. While those with adverse physical activity and unhealthy diet changes were younger and concerned about COVID-19 infection, the participants with adverse sleep changes were older, experienced economic stress (unemployed or recipients of basic living benefits), and had other unhealthy behaviors (obesity, severe stress, current smoking, and binge alcohol consumption). Public health efforts to intervene in these adverse health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic should target the variables shown to be significant in this study.

Linked articles: COVID‐19 SPECIAL FORUM. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: e346–e380.

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease Disparities in the United States

Updated International Society of Geriatric Oncology COVID-19 working group recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination among older adults with cancer

There is a bidirectional relationship between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has catalyzed the use of technology in diabetes care. Future research is required to assess the impact of COVID-19 on new-onset diabetes and the influence of diabetes on responses to COVID-19 vaccines.