New paper for Bonnell, et al.

 

This just appeared in the "Abstracts in press" section of the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. Stay tuned for the full article...

Walking Habits During the COVID-19 Pandemic Are Associated with Mental and Physical Health Among Primary Care Patients Managing Multiple Chronic Conditions

Levi N. Bonnell; Jessica Clifton; Mariana Wingood; Nancy Gell; Benjamin Littenberg

Section: Brief Report

Publication Date: TBD

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 policies such as quarantining, social isolation, and lockdowns are an essential public health measure to reduce the spread of disease, but may lead to reduced physical activity. Little is known if these changes are associated with changes in physical or mental health.

METHODS: Between September 2017 and December 2018 (baseline) and March 2020 and February 2021 (Follow-up), we obtained self-reported demographic, health, and walking (only at follow-up) data on 2,042 adults in primary care with multiple chronic health conditions. We examined whether the perceived amount of time engaged in walking was different compared to pre-pandemic levels, and if this was associated with changes in PROMIS-29 mental and physical health summary scores. Multivariable linear regression controlling for demographic, health, and neighborhood information were used to assess this association.

RESULTS: Of the 2,042 participants, 9% reported more walking, 28% reported less, and 52% reported the same amount compared to pre-pandemic levels. Nearly a third of participants reported less walking during the pandemic. Multivariable models revealed that walking less or not at all was associated with negative changes in mental (ß= -1.0; 95% CI -1.6, -0.5; ß= -2.2; 95% CI -2.9, -1.4) and physical (ß= -0.9; 95% CI -1.5, -0.3; ß= -3.1; 95% CI -4.0, -2.3) health, respectively. Increasing walking was significantly associated with a positive change in physical health (ß=1.3; 95% CI 0.3, 2.2).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the importance of walking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Promotion of physical activity should be taken into consideration when mandating restrictions to slow the spread of disease. Primary care providers can assess patient’s walking patterns and implement brief interventions to help patients improve their physical and mental health through walking.