Impact of COVID-19 on Cognition and Daily Behaviors in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Ryan Falck, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Megan O’Connell, Eric Smith, Lauren Griffith, Benoit Cossett, David Hogan, Christina Wolfson
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect cognition and 24-hour behaviors in middle-aged and older adults?
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted cognition and daily behaviors in older adults, but these effects were not related to each other.
Supporting Evidence
- Post-pandemic cohort males and females aged 65+ years had significantly worse cognition and poorer 24-hour behaviours.
- Changes in 24-hour behaviours were unassociated with changes in cognition.
Takeaway
The COVID-19 pandemic made older adults think and behave differently, but those changes in behavior didn't affect how they think.
Methodology
Longitudinal analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) with neuropsychological testing data.
Participant Demographics
Cognitively healthy participants aged 65+ years, categorized into pre-pandemic and post-pandemic cohorts.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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