The negative and positive symptoms in people suffering from schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The pandemic had a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the world population. In this context, higher levels of negative and positive symptoms related to psychosis have been observed. The present study aimed to verify, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the evolution of negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia during the pandemic period. The present work adhered to the PRISMA guidelines, and the GRADE and New Castle Ottawa bias scales were applied. Longitudinal studies from 2020-2021 that assessed negative and/or positive symptoms in persons diagnosed with schizophrenia before and during the pandemic period were searched on PubMed, PsycInfo and PsycArticles. The main results showed significant differences between the pre-and the pandemic period regarding negative symptoms [average effect size =-.47, 95% CI ;-0.70,-0.24; Z = 4.01, p < 0.0001]. In conclusion, the work showed a worsening of negative symptoms during the pandemic in persons with schizophrenia. The results suggested the importance, in the post-pandemic period, of planning psychosocial interventions for these individuals.