Characterizing High Fear of COVID among those with Neurological Conditions

Research Objectives: To evaluate the demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics of those with high fear of covid compared to those with low fear among those with neurological conditions.

Design: Cross-sectional survey

Setting: Outpatient and community

Participants: Participants (N=74) included those: 18 years of age and older; diagnosed with a neurological condition including: brain injury; cognitive capacity to understand and complete measures; living in the community

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: Demographics, injury characteristics, NeuroQoL psychosocial subscales, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Thoughts and Feelings about Social Distancing, and Social Distancing Strategies Used.

Results: Participants with high levels of fear of covid were more likely to be females, experienced loss of employment, recently injured, greater levels of sleep disturbance, and experience greater levels of stigma. When examining thoughts of social distancing, those in the high fear group reported feeling isolated, anxious, less likely to use online platform to be social, feel pressure from others to not socially distance when social distancing compared to those in the low fear group. Those in the high fear group were more likely to use avoidance based social distancing strategies compared to those in the low fear group. No significant differences between the two groups were seen in level of age, level of education, living arrangements, fatigue and self-efficacy.

Conclusions: The current study demonstrates that, among those with neurological conditions, characteristics of high fear of the pandemic are distinct from those with low fear. These findings indicate, that those with high fear of covid may require additional support to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life.

Author(s) Disclosures: None