The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lifestyles and Levels of Anxiety and Depression of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

The movement restrictions put in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic required modification of the population’s usual routines, including those of the most vulnerable groups such as patients with schizophrenia. This was a retrospective observational study. We used an online survey to collect information on patient adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener questionnaire), physical exercise (International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form), and tobacco consumption and levels of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) before and during the movement restrictions. A total of 102 people with schizophrenia participated in this study. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown the participants significantly increased the number of minutes spent sitting per day (z = −6.73; p < 0.001), decreased the time they spent walking (z = −6.32; p < 0.001), and increased their tobacco consumption (X2 = 156.90; p < 0.001). These results were also accompanied by a significant increase in their reported levels of anxiety (z = −7.45; p < 0.001) and depression (z = −7.03, p < 0.001). No significant differences in patient diets during the pandemic compared to before the movement restrictions were reported. These results suggest the need to implement specific programs to improve lifestyle and reduce anxiety and depression during possible future pandemic situations.

Physical activity levels associated with insomnia and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia

“…Although current evidence pointed to a beneficial role of physical activity on psychopathological symptoms, insomnia, or depressive symptoms in CS patients, schizophrenic patients spend significantly less time physically active than the general population (10, 55), with only about one-fifth of patients meeting the minimum required level of physical activity (56). In contrast, physical inactivity associated with sedentary behavior in schizophrenic patients was closely related to a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms (57). Furthermore, due to their negative and depressive symptoms and lack of internal drive, patients with severe mental disorders obtained a lower level of physical activity (58).…”

How the Presence of a Doctor Known to Patients Impacts a Web-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviour in Individuals with an Overweight/Obesity–Hypertension Phenotype: A Randomised Clinical Trial

“…It is also important to note that the maintenance or slight increase in PA levels seen during the intervention should be interpreted as a positive result. In this regard, it is also worth bearing in mind that just before the start of this work (28 October 2020) a second state of national alarm with movement restrictions was declared in Spain [ 50 ] and a third alarm state coincided with the elaboration of this present study [ 51 ]. Interestingly, a recent meta-analysis with a total sample size of 119,094 participants from 14 countries worldwide and with participants aged between 4 and 93 years also revealed a significant decline in PA in all age groups during this time, independently of gender [ 52 ].…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle and mental state in patients with schizophrenia: A retrospective study

“…[ 20 ] During the epidemic, many hospitals adopted closed management, limiting patient activities and reducing unnecessary visits. [ 21 ] As a result, the amount of activity in patients with schizophrenia has decreased to varying degrees, accompanied by increased BMI and decreased food intake. In addition, due to the lack of ways for patients to receive information, the perception of lifestyle changes will also affect appetite to some extent.…”