Objective: The aim of this study was to understand and measure the effect of social network support in patients with Parkinson’s disease(PwP) before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic and the social distancing guidelines have adversely affected PwP across world. There is a paucity of adequate research on the effects of social isolation considering that a positive social support system is of utmost importance for PwP. This study aims to bridge the gap by gauging social isolation by measuring perceived social support among PwP pre-Covid, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic

Method: A total of 101 early PD patients from the Early Parkinson’s Disease Longitudinal Singapore Study (PALS Study) were included.The well-validated Lubben’s Social Network Support Revised Scale (LSNS-R) was used to determine the level of social isolation and support received by PD patients in 3 time points:1) before Covid-19 pandemic (pre-Covid),2) during Covid-19 lockdown and safe-distancing measures (Covid) and 3) after lockdown and lifting of measures (post-Covid).The study of PD patients selected for this study covered 1-5 years of follow up through the pandemic. All 101 PD patients had at least 2 measures of LSNS-R, with 23 PD patients having all 3 points measured,48 patients with pre- and Covid scores and 30 patients with Covid and post-Covid scores

Results: The mean social support scores obtained was lower during Covid (M=31.9, SD=10.0), as compared to pre-Covid (M=34.9, SD=11.6) and post-Covid (M=34.1, SD=8.0). PD patients had significantly lower scores during Covid as compared to pre-Covid (MD= -3.56±10.7, p = 0.007).There was no significant difference between Covid and post-Covid LSNS-R scores (MD=-0.57±8.45, p=0.628)

Conclusion: There was a significant drop in the social network support during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic as measured by LSNS-R.There was no significant difference in social support during and after Covid-19 pandemic, possibly indicating that such support has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels.The impact of social isolation is not well recognised and calls for future research to elucidate the underlying factors and its negative association with motor and non-motor symptoms among PwP. Targeted strategies can be developed to provide social support to PwP in the event of future pandemics and social isolation requirements

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/understanding-social-isolation-before-during-and-after-the-covid-19-pandemic-among-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/