In Covid‐19 pandemic, quarantine measures affect daily living activities in normal individuals, but do not change the cognitive state

Abstract

BackgroundThe coronavirus COVID‐19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time. Due to the measures taken to prevent the disease and especially the curfew, the social life of people has been severely affected. It is a matter of curiosity how the cognitive state is affected during this period.MethodBEYNEX computerized cognitive training (CCT) has been used in android and ios environments as a smartphone and tablet application in July 2020. In this application, the scores obtained from the gamified cognitive exercises presented on the internet are presented in 8 different cognitive parameters in graphics (Memory, Visual Perception, Speed, Problem‐solving, Flexibility, Attention, Language Skills, Arithmetic). All exercises designed within the parameters used by clinicians and are completely unique. Every 2 weeks, users are asked questions that evaluate themselves and their daily life activities. The data of the user, who scores between 1 and 10 for each question, is also stored graphically.ResultThe BEYNEX/Turkey data used in this study belong to the last four months of 2020 when quarantine measures are gradually increased. Data of an average of 250 people aged 20 to 85 were analyzed in a total of 4 months between September / December 2021. When the monthly data of the users were compared in the 4‐month period with quarantine, there was no statistical difference in 8 different cognitive parameters (Figure 1) (Table 1). However, there were important statistical differences in their responses to the questions they evaluated themselves (Figure 2) (Table 2). Less time spent on hobbies, reading, shopping, and friend conversations, while much more time on sleep and social media (Table 3). Interestingly, users rated their memory and emotional states with a high score.ConclusionWith internet applications, societal analyzes give results in a noticeably short time with a very low cost. Contrary to popular belief, large crises affect individual lifestyle more than cognitive parameters. It is obvious that cognitive impairment will occur if the measures involve much longer time frames.