The ability of patients with Parkinson's disease to recognize masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PwP) have face recognition difficulties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difficulties of PwP in recognizing masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 64 PwP, 58 age-matched older healthy controls (OHCs), and 61 younger healthy controls (YHCs) were included in the study. The Benton Face Recognition Test - short form (BFRT-sf) and the 13-item questionnaire on face recognition difficulties due to masks during the pandemic developed by the authors were applied to all three study groups. Results: Both the PwP and OHC groups scored worse in BFRT-sf when compared with the YHC group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The number of those who had difficulty in recognizing people seen every day and the number of those who asked people to remove their masks because they did not recognize them were higher in the PWP group (p=0.026 and p=0.002, respectively). The number of individuals who looked at the posture and gait of people when they did not recognize their masked faces and those who stated that this difficulty affected their daily lives were higher in the OHC group (p=0.002 and p=0.009, respectively). The number of participants whose difficulty in recognizing masked faces decreased over time was higher in the YHC group (p=0.003). Conclusions: The PwP group demonstrated similar performance to their peers but differed from the YHC group in recognizing masked faces. Knowing difficulties experienced by elderly people in recognizing people who are masked can increase awareness on this issue and enhance their social interaction in pandemic conditions through measures to be taken.

Pacientes com doença de Parkinson (PcP) têm dificuldades de reconhecimento facial. Objetivo: Avaliamos as dificuldades de PcP em reconhecer rostos mascarados durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Incluímos 64 PcP, 58 controles saudáveis ​​mais velhos (CSVs) pareados por idade, 61 controles saudáveis mais jovens (CSJs) no estudo. O Benton Face Recognition Test-short form (BFRT-sf) e o questionário de 13 itens sobre dificuldades de reconhecimento facial devido a máscaras durante a pandemia desenvolvido pelos autores foram aplicados a todos os três grupos de estudo. Resultados: Ambos os grupos PcP e CSV tiveram pior pontuação no BFRT-sf quando comparados com o grupo CSJ (p<0,001 e p<0,001, respectivamente). O número daqueles que tiveram dificuldade em reconhecer as pessoas atendidas todos os dias e o número daqueles que pediram para as pessoas retirarem suas máscaras por não as reconhecer foram maiores no grupo PcP (p=0,026 e p=0,002, respectivamente). O número de indivíduos que olharam para a postura e marcha das pessoas quando não reconheceram seus rostos mascarados e aqueles que afirmaram que essa dificuldade afetou seu cotidiano foi maior no grupo CSV (p=0,002 e p=0,009, respectivamente). O número de participantes cuja dificuldade em reconhecer rostos mascarados diminuiu ao longo do tempo foi maior no grupo CSJ (p=0,003). Conclusões: O grupo PcP demonstrou desempenho semelhante aos seus pares, mas diferiu do grupo CSJ no reconhecimento de rostos mascarados. Conhecer as dificuldades vivenciadas pelos idosos em reconhecer as pessoas mascaradas pode aumentar a conscientização sobre essa questão e potencializar sua interação social em condições de pandemia por meio de medidas a serem tomadas.

The ability of patients with Parkinson's disease to recognize masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic A CAPACIDADE DOS PACIENTES COM DOENÇA DE PARKINSON DE RECONHECER ROSTOS MASCARADOS DURANTE A PANDEMIA DE COVID-19

. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PwP) have face recognition difficulties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the difficulties of PwP in recognizing masked faces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 64 PwP, 58 age-matched older healthy controls (OHCs), and 61 younger healthy controls (YHCs) were included in the study. The Benton Face Recognition Test - short form (BFRT-sf) and the 13-item questionnaire on face recognition difficulties due to masks during the pandemic developed by the authors were applied to all three study groups. Results: Both the PwP and OHC groups scored worse in BFRT-sf when compared with the YHC group (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The number of those who had difficulty in recognizing people seen every day and the number of those who asked people to remove their masks because they did not recognize them were higher in the PWP group (p=0.026 and p=0.002, respectively). The number of individuals who looked at the posture and gait of people when they did not recognize their masked faces and those who stated that this difficulty affected their daily lives were higher in the OHC group (p=0.002 and p=0.009, respectively). The number of participants whose difficulty in recognizing masked faces decreased over time was higher in the YHC group (p=0.003). Conclusions: The PwP group demonstrated similar performance to their peers but differed from the YHC group in recognizing masked faces. Knowing difficulties experienced by elderly people in recognizing people who are masked can increase awareness on this issue and enhance their social interaction in pandemic conditions through measures to be taken.