International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 11 authors, 6 centres
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This within-subjects accelerometer study of 35 rheumatoid arthritis patients found that COVID-19 social distancing was associated with a 34% increase in prolonged sitting (≥30 minutes) and a 38.8% reduction in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. No significant changes were observed in pain, fatigue, or quality of life, but the increased sedentary behavior may elevate long-term cardiovascular risk in this high-risk population.
This study investigated changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior among patients with rheumatoid arthritis during COVID-19 social distancing measures. Using a within-subjects design with posture-based accelerometers, researchers objectively measured activity patterns before and during the pandemic. The population comprised 35 patients with a mean age of 60.9 years and established rheumatoid arthritis. Key results showed that during social distancing, total stepping time decreased by 15.7% (−0.3 h/day), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity fell by 38.8% (−4.5 min/day). Critically, while total sedentary time did not significantly change, time spent in prolonged sitting bouts increased markedly: sitting ≥30 minutes increased by 34% (1.0 h/day) and sitting ≥60 minutes increased by 85% (1.0 h/day). In contrast, self-reported outcomes of pain, fatigue, and physical and mental health-related quality of life showed no significant changes. The study's limitations include a relatively low sample size and the inability to establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The implications suggest that while immediate clinical symptoms did not worsen, the substantial increase in prolonged, uninterrupted sitting—a behavior linked to cardiometabolic risk—is a significant concern for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who are already at elevated cardiovascular risk, highlighting a need to promote activity breaks during home confinement.
