Effects of the first lockdown on patients with Movement disorders during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present observational study was to evaluate the effects of the first lockdown 2020 on the patients of our Movement Disorders clinic. METHODS: We included 65 patients with Parkinson`s disease and 40 patients with post stroke spasticity in our observational study. Medical examinations were performed prior to the lockdown, after the end of the first lockdown in June and at the end of October 2020. Participation in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sports activities and general physical activity were recorded. In addition data regarding pain, falls, neurological functioning and access to medication were collected. Ambulatory patients performed a walking test. RESULTS: The discontinuation of physiotherapy and occupational therapy and the marked reduction of sports activities correlated with a decrease of general physical activities/week. We observed an increase of pain and spasticity. About 20% of patients with post stroke spasticity lost their independence in some aspects of self-care activities. Both groups of patients needed more time for the walking test after the lockdown. The effects of the lockdown continued until October 2020. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and reduction of sports activities had severe and long lasting consequences for the physical and mental condition of our patients.