Higher perceived stress and exacerbated motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease during the COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand

AIMS: Stress plays a key rote in Parkinson's disease (PD) by acting on the dopaminergic system and worsening patients' motor function. The impact of New Zealand's strict lockdown measures to contain COVID-19 on perceived stress and PD motor symptoms remains unknown. Here we examined the relationship between perceived levels of stress, changes in physical activity levels and PD motor symptoms during lockdown. METHODS: During lockdown, 134 participants with PD and 49 controls completed a survey assessing perceived stress, self-reported changes in PD motor symptoms and physical activity duration and intensity prior to and during lockdown. RESULTS: Perceived stress was higher in PD than controls, and in those reporting a worsening of tremor, balance/gait, dyskinesia and bradykinesia compared to those indicating no change during the COVID-19 lockdown. These effects were not modulated by physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing stressors may be an important adjunct treatment strategy to improve motor function in PD.

Automated summary

This study found that perceived stress was higher in Parkinson's disease patients during the COVID-19 lockdown, especially in those reporting worsening of tremor, balance/gait, dyskinesia, and bradykinesia. These effects were not modulated by physical activity.