Our paper discusses findings on the correlation between pain perception and psychiatric disorders. The psychiatric disorders we chose to study are Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anxiety, Major Depression, and Parkinson’s Disease. We performed a literature review on 30 articles, with at least 6 studies per illness. We hypothesized that pain perception is altered by psychiatric disorders. Whether pain perception was increased or decreased depended on the type of mental illness. We reviewed research articles that induced pain in healthy controls and patients and recorded the difference in pain tolerance and threshold. The pain stimulus varied from electrical, emotional (photo), thermal, and ischemic. Our findings showed that for schizophrenia and bipolar depression there is a very strong case for a decreased pain sensitivity on account of the disorder. Depression had more of a nuanced result as thermal pain decreased pain sensitivity, ischemic pain increased pain sensitivity, and electrical stimulation was inconclusive. Parkinson’s Disease showed a generalized increase in pain sensitivity on account of the disorder itself, but the correlation was not very concrete. Finally, anxiety did not have any significant differences in general but PTSD specifically had an increase in pain sensitivity. As a result of our research, we found that our hypothesis was correct: pain perception was altered across all psychiatric disorders surveyed. Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, and Schizophrenia resulted in general decreases in pain perception while Anxiety and Parkinson’s disease showed increases in pain perception.

Background

Social distancing from the COVID-19 pandemic may have decreased engagement in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and may have had possible consequences on post-CR exercise maintenance. The increased use of technology as an adaptation may benefit post-CR participants via wearables and social media. Thus, we sought to explore the possible relationships of both the pandemic and technology on post-CR exercise maintenance.

Objective

This study aimed to (1) understand CR participation during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) identify perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity after CR completion, and (3) assess willingness to use technology and social media to support physical activity needs among older adults with cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We recruited participants aged 55 years and older in 3 different CR programs offered at both public and private hospitals in Northern California. We conducted individual interviews on CR experiences, physical activity, and potential for using technology. We used thematic analysis to synthesize the data.

Results

In total, 22 participants (n=9, 41% female participants; mean age 73, SD 8 years) completed in-depth interviews. Themes from participants' feedback included the following: (1) anxiety and frustration about the wait for CR caused by COVID-19 conditions, (2) positive and safe participant experience once in CR during the pandemic, (3) greater attention needed to patients after completion of CR, (4) notable demand for technology during the pandemic and after completion of CR, and (5) social media networking during the CR program considered valuable if training is provided.

Conclusions

Individuals who completed CR identified shared concerns about continuing physical activity despite having positive experiences during the CR program. There were significant challenges during the pandemic and heightened concerns for safety and health. The idea of providing support by leveraging digital technology (wearable devices and social media for social support) resonated as a potential solution to help bridge the gap from CR to more independent physical activity. More attention is needed to help individuals experience a tailored and safe transition to home to maintain physical activity among those who complete CR.