REDUCED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL WAS ASSOCIATED WITH POORER QUALITY OF LIFE DURING THE EARLY PHASE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A SUB-STUDY OF THE LAST-LONG TRIAL

Abstract

Objectives: To assess how physical activity levels changed in a stroke cohort during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and how these changes were associated with quality of life (QoL). Methods: Between March and July 2021, 150 patients with stroke already included in the Life after Stroke (LAST-long) trial in Norway were invi-ted to participate in this cross-sectional survey. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire assessing changes in physical activity and self-reported health following the pandemic. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the association between physical activity, loneliness, mental health, social activity and QoL. Results: In all, 118 (79%) participants completed the questionnaire. A total of 80 (68%) reported less physical activity, 46 (39%) felt lonelier, and 43 (37%) reported worse mental health, while 50 (42%) reported reduced QoL compared with before the lockdown. In the univariate analyses less physical activity, feeling lonelier and changes in mental health were associated with reduced QoL. In the multivariate analysis only less physical activity odds ratio (OR) = 4.04 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.44–11.34, p = 0.008) was significantly associated with reduced QoL. Conclusion: More than two-thirds of patients with stroke reported reduced physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and less physical activity was strongly associated with reduced QoL.LAY ABSTRACT Stroke survivors were at risk for serious side-effects of the lockdown during the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Norway, such as being isolated with limited access to rehabilitation and training facilities. This study aimed to assess how physical activity changed in a stroke cohort during the pandemic, and how these changes were associated with quality of life (QoL). A total of 118 of the 150 first participants in a larger ongoing trial completed a questionnaire assessing changes in physical activity and QoL following the lockdown. A total of 68% of the subjects reported less physical activity and 42% reported reduced QoL compared with before the lockdown. There was a strong association between less physical activity and reduced QoL. Reasons for being more inactive were concerns about getting infected with COVID-19, physical limitations and lack of access to training facilities. The results indicate that there is a need to reduce barriers to physical activity and facilitate access to training facilities for people after stroke.