Web-based physical activity interventions are feasible and beneficial solutions to prevent physical and mental health declines in community-dwelling older adults during isolation periods.

BACKGROUND: Periods of prolonged lockdown increase the risk of physical inactivity, which can contribute to physical decline among older adults. Online technology could be an innovative solution to promote physical activity habits in this context. The goal of this study was to examine and compare the acceptability, feasibility and potential benefits of two modalities of web-based PA interventions in older adults during the COVID-19 lockdown. METHODS: Eighty-three non-physically active community-dwelling older adults (age 60 and over) were randomized to a 12-week web-based PA intervention delivered either in a Live Group (LG; n=38) or a Recorded Group (RG; n=45). Acceptability, feasibility as well as functional capacities, physical performance, quality of life and PA level were assessed pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: There were fewer dropouts in the LG than RG (LG:16% vs. RG:46%). However, adherence rate (LG:89%; RG:81%), level of satisfaction (LG:77% vs. RG:64%) and enjoyment (LG:68% vs. RG:62%) were similar across groups, even if the participants found the intervention slightly difficult (LG:58% vs. RG:63%). Both groups significantly improved on functional capacities, physical performance and quality of life. Only the LG showed significant improvements in perceived health and PA level. The LG showed greater improvements in physical performance and quality of life than the RG. CONCLUSION: Web-based PA interventions are feasible, acceptable and beneficial for improving functional capacities and physical performance during periods of lockdown. However, the interactive web and live modalities appear to be more effective for promoting some of these outcomes than recorded and individual modalities.

Trajectories of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among community-dwelling older adults in Quebec: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated public health measures may increase the risk for psychological distress among vulnerable older adults. This longitudinal study aimed to identify predictors of psychological distress trajectories among community-dwelling older adults in Quebec, Canada. METHODS: The study spanned four time points across 13 months and three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample included 645 community-dwelling older adults ages 60 years and older in Quebec. Participants completed telephone-based interviews that included the Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to assess psychological distress at each time point as well as information on socioeconomic, medical, psychological and COVID-19 related factors. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to identify distinct trajectories of psychological distress across time. RESULTS: Three group-based trajectories of psychological distress were identified: the resilient (50.5%), reactive (34.9%), and elevated distress groups (14.6%). Individuals with mobility issues, insomnia symptoms, COVID-19 related acute stress, general health anxiety, increased loneliness symptoms, and those unable to use technology to see others were more likely to be in the reactive and elevated groups than the resilient group. Those with past mental health problems had uniquely increased odds of being in the reactive group compared to the resilient group. Individuals living in poverty and those who reported taking psychotropic medication had increased odds of being in the elevated distress group compared to the resilient group. CONCLUSION: These findings characterized distinct trajectories of psychological distress in older adults and identified risk factors for elevated distress levels.