COVID blockade loneliness associated with more depressive symptoms in the elderly

According to a large online study, loneliness in adults over the age of 50 during COVID-19 lockdown was associated with worsening depression and other mental health symptoms.

Loneliness is a key link to exacerbation of depression and anxiety in a study of more than 3,000 people over the age of 50, led by the University of Exeter and King’s College London and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Moseley. It emerged as a factor. Center for Biomedical Research (BRC).

Researchers have access to data dating back to 2015 for PROTECT participants Online learning.. they again, Physical activity The onset of the pandemic was associated with worsening symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic. Other factors include being a woman and retiring.

Dr. Byron Crease of the University of Exeter School of Medicine, who led the study, said: “Even before the pandemic, the level of loneliness and physical activity was a major issue in society, especially among the elderly. Our study allowed us to compare psyches. Many over the age of 50. Health symptoms around COVID-19 in people. During lockdown, loneliness and decreased physical activity were found to be associated with worsening mental health, especially increased symptoms of depression. The data is to find new ways to reduce the risk of deteriorating mental health during a pandemic. “

The study found that prior to a pandemic, lonely people reported an average of two depression symptoms in at least the last few days of the last two weeks.During the blockade, lonely people have increased the frequency of depressive symptoms to more than half a day for two weeks, or are new Symptoms At least a few days in that time frame. In those who were not lonely, the level of depressive symptoms was unaffected.

PROTECT was launched in 2011 and has 25,000 registered participants. Innovative studies designed to understand the factors involved in healthy aging combine a detailed lifestyle questionnaire with cognitive tests that assess aspects of brain function such as memory, judgment, and reasoning. is. In May, researchers included a new questionnaire designed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health and well-being. From May 13th to June 8th, 3,300 people completed the questionnaire, of which 1,900 were long-time participants in PROTECT. Research is ongoing so that long-term results can be evaluated.

Zunera Khan, Research Portfolio Leader at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, “discovered a link between loneliness and decreased exercise and worsening mental health symptoms. Our online PROTECT platform ultimately aims to find new ways to get people home, but technology is only part of the big picture. People stay active and social. You need to be able to find new ways to do it online or not. “

Professor Clive Ballard, Executive Dean and Vice President of the University of Exeter Medical School, who leads PROTECT, said: “We are just beginning to learn the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of older people. For example, the impact of economic impact may not yet be apparent. Our extensive research has spanned several years. It helps to understand some of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on mental health and well-being. Whether this has any knock-on effect on aspects of aging such as brain function and memory. “

The study will further analyze particularly high-risk groups, such as those with cognitive impairment and those with a compassionate role.