Impact of coronavirus disease pandemic on performance and satisfaction, physical activity, and quality of life of the elderly

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the coronavirus disease pandemic in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 140 elderly with a mean age of 71.30±6.00 years (69 females, 71 males) who spent the coronavirus disease pandemic period at home were included. Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Visual Analog Scale (for pain intensity at rest and activity), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version Health States were used in the evaluation. Two scores are obtained in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: one for performance and one for satisfaction. EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version consists of two parts: EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version descriptive system and EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: While female gender (p=0.006, p=0.001), using walking assistant (p=0.001, p=0.001), being single/widow (p=0.031, p=0.007), and history of falling (p=0.004, p=0.001) made difference in Visual Analog Scale (rest, activity), female gender (p=0.013) and being single/widow (p=0.020) made difference in satisfaction scores of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Female gender (p=0.001), using walking assistant (p=0.001), and history of falling (p=0.010) made difference in EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version descriptive system. In addition, performance scores of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure had a low correlation with Visual Analog Scale (rest r=-0.198, p=0.019; activity r=-0.188, p=0.026) and had a moderate correlation with EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version descriptive system (r=0.327, p=0.001) and EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version Visual Analog Scale (r=0.307, p=0.001). Satisfaction scores of Canadian Occupational Performance Measure had a low correlation with Visual Analog Scale (rest r=-0.247, p=0.003; activity r=-0.223, p=0.008) and had a moderate correlation with EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version descriptive system (r=0.399, p=0.001) and EuroQol Five-Dimensional Questionnaire, Three-Level Version Visual Analog Scale (r=0.306, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The elderly who were women, single/widowed, using walking assistant, and having a history of falling were more affected during the coronavirus disease period.