Psychological variables
The analyses showed significant differences between the two groups in the severity of depressive symptoms (BDI-II: t112=2.52, p=0.013, Cohen’s d=0.47) and perceived stress (PSS-10: t112=2.00, p=0.048, Cohen’s d=0.37). The AD group reported more severe depressive symptoms (BDI-II: 10.77 ± 8.41) and higher levels of perceived stress (PSS-10: 17.68 6.53) compared to healthy controls (BDI-II: 6.97 ± 7.73; PSS-10: 15 ± 6.96) (Figure 2). The measure of anxiety (GAD-7) did not differ between AD (7.05 ± 4.58) and control participants (6.23 ± 5.28; t112=0.89, p=0.38, Cohen’s d=0.17).