The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the mental health and quality of life of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), studies suggest. Researchers in the Netherlands are seeking to identify subgroups of patients most affected by the pandemic.
“People with PD might be especially vulnerable to psychological stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr Lisanne Dommershuijsen of the Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Reduced physical activity may cause worsening of symptoms, and patients with PD often have limited flexibility when adapting to rapid and drastic changes in daily routines. “Insights into subgroup differences may be necessary for targeted interventions.”