Physical activity changes and correlate effects in patients with Parkinson's disease during COVID‐19 lockdown

Schirinzi, Tommaso; Di Lazzaro, Giulia; Salimei, Chiara; Cerroni, Rocco; Liguori, Claudio; Scalise, Simona; Alwardat, Mohammad; Mercuri, Nicola Biagio; Pierantozzi, Mariangela; Stefani, Alessandro; Pisani, Antonio

BACKGROUND: COVID‐19 outbreak profoundly affected health systems and people's daily life worldwide. Parkinson's disease (PD) patients lost their normal routine and interrupted regular physical activity, either as physiotherapy or sport, with inevitable consequence on their daily‐life and well‐being. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the changes in physical activity due to COVID‐19 emergency, including self‐management strategies or technology‐assisted activities, and the subsequent clinical implications in PD patients. METHODS: 74 PD patients from an Italian centre have been remotely examined during the lockdown (April‐May 2020) by an e‐mail structured survey, including self‐administered scales. We collected and analysed data on changes, modalities and amount of physical active practice, on the use of technology‐based tools, and on self‐perceived clinical condition. RESULTS: 60% of patients reported a significant worsening of their general conditions during the lockdown, the reduction of physical activity being the main risk factor for such change. However, patients found ways to practice physical activity, using satisfactorily technology assistance in 50% of cases (mostly women). CONCLUSIONS: COVID‐19 emergency has been an ordeal for PD patients. Nevertheless, patients adapted their habits to continue practicing physical activity that resulted a main determinant of their well‐being, and even successfully approached technology‐based assistance. Education, communication and networking emerge as critical for a constructive reaction to the emergency's challenges. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.