School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, UK; Chamwell Centre Charity, Gloucestershire, UK.
School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, UK; Chamwell Centre Charity, Gloucestershire, UK.
Disabil Health J. 2021 Jul;14(3):101064. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101064. Epub 2021 Jan 22.
COVID-19 has caused unprecedented restrictions, significantly affecting the most vulnerable groups in society, such as those with a disability.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions on physical activity and mental health of children and young adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.
The study was a cross-sectional design. Parents/carers completed an electronic survey in the UK between June-July 2020 on behalf of their child. Through Likert scales and free-text questions, the survey asked about physical activity levels and mental health during lockdown compared to before, access to specialist facilities and equipment to aid with physical activity, and the short- and long-term concerns around ongoing lockdown restrictions.
Generally, respondents reported negative effects of lockdown restrictions, with 61% reporting a reduction in physical activity levels and over 90% reporting a negative impact on mental health (including poorer behaviour, mood, fitness and social and learning regression). Many respondents cited a lack of access to specialist facilities, therapies and equipment as reasons for this, and raised concerns about the long-term effects of this lack of access on their child's mental health and physical activity levels.
The survey highlights the negative impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the physical activity levels and mental health of children and young adults with disabilities and highlights the importance of addressing the needs of the disabled community as restrictions are eased.
COVID-19 疫情造成了前所未有的限制，严重影响了社会中最脆弱的群体，如残疾人群体。
本研究旨在调查 COVID-19 封锁限制对身体残疾和/或智力残疾的儿童和青少年的身体活动和心理健康的影响。
本研究采用横断面设计。父母/照顾者于 2020 年 6 月至 7 月期间代表其子女在英国完成了一项电子调查。通过李克特量表和自由文本问题，调查询问了与封锁前相比，封锁期间的身体活动水平和心理健康状况、获得专门的身体活动辅助设施和设备的情况，以及对持续封锁限制的短期和长期担忧。
总体而言，受访者报告封锁限制的负面影响，61%的人报告身体活动水平下降，超过 90%的人报告心理健康受到负面影响（包括行为、情绪、体能和社交及学习能力下降）。许多受访者指出缺乏专门的设施、治疗和设备是造成这种情况的原因，并对长期缺乏这些设施和设备对其子女的心理健康和身体活动水平的影响表示担忧。
该调查突出了 COVID-19 封锁对残疾儿童和青少年身体活动水平和心理健康的负面影响，并强调了在放宽限制时满足残疾人群体需求的重要性。
