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Perception of stress and cognitive efficiency in older adults with mild and moderate dementia during the COVID-19-related lockdown.
Paolini, Simone; Devita, Maria; Epifania, Ottavia M; Anselmi, Pasquale; Sergi, Giuseppe; Mapelli, Daniela; Coin, Alessandra.
  • Paolini S; Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: simone.paolini@studenti.unipd.it.
  • Devita M; Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: maria.devita@unipd.it.
  • Epifania OM; Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology - FISPPA, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: marinaottavia.epifania@unipd.it.
  • Anselmi P; Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology - FISPPA, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: pasquale.anselmi@unipd.it.
  • Sergi G; Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: giuseppe.sergi@unipd.it.
  • Mapelli D; Department of General Psychology (DPG), University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: daniela.mapelli@unipd.it.
  • Coin A; Geriatrics Division, Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: alessandra.coin@unipd.it.
J Psychosom Res ; 149: 110584, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1331004
ABSTRACT

AIM:

Many studies have been carried out with the aim of understanding the manifold effects of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on individuals' clinical and psychological states. This paper deals with perceived stress (PS) and cognitive efficiency (CE) in older adults with dementia during the first wave of the pandemic. The study also investigated the potential effects of PS and CE on participants' cognitive functioning. The modulating effect of cognitive reserve (CR) on these variables was also considered, given its well-known role in the onset and evolution of neurodegenerative diseases.

METHOD:

Thirty-eight older adults with mild/moderate dementia (mean age 81.47 ± 5.05; mean MMSE pre-lockdown 24.03 ± 3.14) were recruited for this study from March to May [4]. Two questionnaires, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the FLEI Mental Ability Questionnaire (FLEI), were administered to all participants by telephone every two weeks during lockdown (T1 early April, T2 mid-April, T3 early May). After lockdown, their neuropsychological and psychological profiles were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to investigate changes over time.

RESULTS:

The level of PS increased at both Time 2 and Time 3 (f2 = 0.10). Cognitive functioning worsened during lockdown, resulting in lower scores at the post-lockdown evaluation (f2s = 0.09 and 0.06 for MMSE and ENB-2, respectively). The decrease in these scores was not associated with either PS or CE. Although the size of these effects was rather small, their clinical relevance is not negligible.

CONCLUSION:

Individuals with dementia seem to have experienced stress (S) during the first-wave of lockdown related to Covid-19. Cognition worsened during the pandemic, in accordance with the neurodegenerative nature of the disease, but it was unrelated to PS and CE.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Stress, Psychological / Communicable Disease Control / Cognition / Dementia / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: J Psychosom Res Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Stress, Psychological / Communicable Disease Control / Cognition / Dementia / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Female / Humans / Male Language: English Journal: J Psychosom Res Year: 2021 Document Type: Article