Quality of life, mood, and cognitive performance in older adults with cognitive impairment during the first wave of COVID 19 in Argentina. (16th November 2021) - Aragón, Irina
Abstract: Background and Objectives: In Argentina, government has established lockdown on 19 March 2020 to decrease SARS‐COV‐2 infection. The study aim was to understand how mandatory quarantine imposed due to COVID‐19 pandemic has affected quality of life, mood, and cognitive performance of older adults with cognitive impairment. Design: Longitudinal descriptive–observational study. Participants: Patients with cognitive impairment attending to online cognitive training sessions. Measurements: Participants have completed by themselves Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease scale (QOL‐AD), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II), Test your Memory (TYM), and an attention and executive task created by our institution. Same assessments were done at the beginning of the lockdown and 7 months later. Results: Fifty‐one adults were included. An increase in BDI‐II score ( p = 0.049) and worse performance in one of the executive attention tests ( p = 0.012) have been found. No significant differences in QOL‐AD, TYM, verbal fluency, or memory tests total scores have been observed. Reviewing scales subitems, differences in changes in sleep habits ( p = 0.021), energy level decrease ( p = 0.004), worse subjective record of memory capacity ( p = 0.028), and decrease in ability to do housework ( p = 0.007) have been shown. In those who lived alone, BDI and TYM higher scores in BDI‐II ( p = 0.030) ( p = 0.022) have been found. Conclusion: Mandatory quarantine imposed due to COVID‐19 pandemic was associated with worsening of mood, some quality‐of‐life variables, and decrease in attention in older adults with cognitive impairment in Argentina. Key points: These results provide evidence of the negative impact of social isolation in the emotional and cognitive sphere of patients with cognitive impairment