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The relation between psychometric test performance and physical performance in older adults.
E F Binder1, M Storandt, S J Birge
1Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. binder@wubios.wustl.edu
Summary
Cognitive processing speed significantly impacts physical performance in older adults. This study found that slower cognitive speed was linked to lower scores on a physical performance test.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- The link between cognitive function and physical disability in older adults without dementia is not well understood.
- This research investigates the relationship between cognitive tests and physical performance in elderly individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between psychometric measures and a modified Physical Performance Test (modified PPT) in older men and women.
- To identify cognitive factors predicting physical performance in the elderly population.
Main Methods:
- 125 men and women aged 75+ participated in exercise or hormone replacement therapy trials.
- Cognitive function was assessed using Trailmaking A/B, Cancellation Random Figure, Weschler Associate Learning, Delayed Recall, and Verbal Fluency tests.
- Physical performance was measured using a modified PPT, alongside self-reported daily activities, medication use, and hospitalizations.
Main Results:
- Slower performance on Trailmaking B and Cancellation Random Figure tests correlated significantly with lower total modified PPT scores.
- Cognitive speed and memory emerged as key factors, explaining 55% of the variance in cognitive test performance.
- Age, medication count, and cognitive speed independently predicted modified PPT scores.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive processing speed is a crucial element of physical frailty in older adults.
- While significant, cognitive speed explains a minor portion of the variance in standardized physical performance tests.