OTSurveyOccupational therapy in health care2024

Effect of Physical Activity on Association between COVID-19 and Personal Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Suyeong Bae, Monique R Pappadis, Ickpyo Hong

PMID 37204053

WHAT IT FOUND

Among older adults, a reported decrease in walking or exercise was more strongly linked to worse daily life status than quarantine or hospitalization.

Occupational therapists may ask about activity loss.

Key findings

01Physical activity change had a stronger association with the COVID-19 life impact score than quarantine or hospitalization (β = −10.77 and −5.77, respectively).

02The indirect effect of COVID-19 on the COVID-19 life impact score was −1.63, and the total effect was −7.396.

03All paths in the mediation model were statistically significant (all p < 0.01).

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs

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What it does not show

The analysis did not use covariates, so other factors that could affect daily life status were not controlled. Only change in the amount of physical activity was measured as a lifestyle factor, not mental health, diet, or other lifestyle changes. Physical activity change and daily life status were self-reported, and the single-item life impact score was not validated or tested for reliability. The study could not distinguish whether quarantine was for prevention or because of infection. It reports associations from survey data and did not test a physical activity intervention.

Declared interests

The authors report no competing interests to declare.

The easy way to misread this

Do not conclude that increasing physical activity will improve daily life after COVID-19. This paper reports survey associations and did not test a physical activity intervention.

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