Are Sleep Quality, Physical Activity Levels, and Fear of Movement of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Patients Different From Healthy People During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic?

Objective: The sleep quality and physical activity levels of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome during the lockdown period have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep quality, physical activity level, and fear of movement in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy individuals during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Material and methods: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (n = 33) and healthy individuals (n = 30) were included in the study. Physical activity levels, sleep quality, and fear of movement were evaluated.

Results: The total physical activity amount of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy individuals was lower than the acceptable levels. The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome group had significantly lower leisure-time physical activity (P = .006) and higher sitting time (P = .008) than the healthy individuals. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome had significantly more sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction, and daytime sleepiness than healthy people (P < .001). Fear of movement was negatively correlated with the amount of vigorous (r = -0.395, P = .023) and leisure activities (r = -0.557, P = .001) in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome group.

Conclusion: During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy individuals had lower physical activity levels. Physical activity counseling is an important strategy for increasing the physical activity of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and healthy individuals during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.