Abstract
BACKGROUND: In bipolar disorder (BD), physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour are prevalent and have been linked to BD’s cognitive symptoms, although the directionality of these links is not clear. This proof-of-concept study examined whether cognitive function during mid- and later-life was prospectively related to physical activity and sedentary time, and whether the association differed in presence or extent between those with BD and healthy controls.
METHODS: Relevant UK Biobank data were available for 646 BD participants and 18,041 psychiatrically healthy controls, aged 40-69 years at baseline. Cognition was assessed during a baseline assessment, and wrist-worn accelerometry data were collected at a follow-up assessment 2.8-6.6 years later. Regression analyses examined prospective relationships of global cognition, diagnostic group, and their interaction, with physical activity (total, light, and moderate to vigorous) and sedentary time.
RESULTS: Baseline cognitive function was inversely associated with light physical activity (coeff. = -5.64, 95% CI: -6.30 to -4.98) and positively associated with sedentary time (coeff. = 5.17, 95% CI: 4.48-5.86) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (coeff. = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28-0.68) at follow-up. Observed effect sizes were small but significant. In general, associations were not moderated by age or diagnostic group.
CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides preliminary evidence that cognitive function may influence subsequent physical activity and sedentary time similarly in those with BD and healthy controls; however, further research is needed to confirm and further explore this findings.