Comparison of the Sleep Parameters, Physical Activity Level and Sedentary Behavior between Hospitalized and Non-hospitalized Post-COVID-19 Patients

Keywords

sleep quality - physical activity - sedentary behavior - somnolence - post-COVID

Introduction: COVID-19 is associated with poor sleep quality and post-infected patients experience greater sleep disruption and are more susceptible to sleep disorders. In addition, after infection, these patients may show a reduction in the level of physical activity and an increase in sedentary behavior.

Aim: To compare the objective and subjective assessment of sleep parameters, physical activity level and sedentary behavior between hospitalized and non-hospitalized post-COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with 32 post-COVID-19 patients, 20 inpatients (G1) and 12 outpatients (G2). We evaluated sleep quality (SQ) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), objective sleep parameters and the level of physical activity through of the Fitbit 3 motion monitor, which was used by the patients for 7 days. For the subjective assessment of the level of physical activity, the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel and the Student t-test for independent samples was used for comparison between groups (significance level p < 0.05). Results are shown as mean, standard deviation and percentage.

Results: The prevalence of active individuals was higher in G1 (83.3% versus 50%) and the time spent in sedentary behavior was higher in G2 (926.5 ± 168.6min versus 734.1 ± 337.9 minute; p = 0.046). There was no difference between the groups in the other parameters of physical activity evaluated: number of steps (p = 0.300); calories burned (p = 0.312); distance traveled (p = 0.342); minutes of light (p = 0.608), moderate (p = 0.083) and intense (p = 0.104) activity. The prevalence of poor SQ was higher in G1 (85% versus 66.66%), whereas EDS was more prevalent in G2 (45% versus 50%). In objective sleep parameters, there was no difference between the groups: total sleep time (TTS) (p = 0.699); sleep efficiency (p = 0.858); wake episodes per night (WE) (p = 0.508); wake after sleep onset (WASO) (p = 0.674).

Conclusions: In the present study, post-COVID-19 patients who required hospitalization had a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality. On the other hand, patients without hospitalization had a higher prevalence of EDS and, despite being more active, exhibited more time in sedentary behavior.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
15 June 2023