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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:56
Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
Gait in elderly with cerebral small vessel disease
Karlijn F de Laat1, Anouk G W van Norden, Rob A R Gons
1Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Stroke
|June 26, 2010
Summary
White matter lesions (WMLs) and lacunar infarcts, hallmarks of cerebral small vessel disease, independently impact gait in older adults. Specific lesion locations significantly affect gait velocity and stride length, highlighting potential targets for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
- Radiology
Background:
- Gait disorders are prevalent in the elderly, leading to functional decline and increased mortality.
- Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), encompassing white matter lesions (WMLs) and lacunar infarcts, is common in older adults.
- The relationship between CSVD and gait disturbances is complex, with WMLs and lacunar infarcts potentially playing independent roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined and independent effects of WML severity and location, and lacunar infarcts on gait parameters in elderly individuals.
- To determine if specific locations of WMLs and lacunar infarcts are more strongly associated with gait impairment.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 431 non-demented elderly individuals (50-85 years) with CSVD underwent MRI.
- WML volume was quantified, and lacunar infarcts were assessed for number and location.
- Gait was quantitatively assessed using an electronic walkway, Tinetti test, and Timed-Up-and-Go test.
Main Results:
- Both WMLs and lacunar infarcts were independently associated with various gait parameters.
- Stride length was the most sensitive gait parameter affected by WMLs.
- WMLs in sublobar (basal ganglia/internal capsule) and limbic areas, and frontal lobe/thalamic lacunar infarcts were linked to reduced gait velocity.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral small vessel disease significantly contributes to gait disturbances in the elderly.
- Targeting CSVD may be a crucial strategy for preventing or delaying gait impairment.
- The findings underscore the importance of considering both WMLs and lacunar infarcts, and their specific locations, in assessing gait in older adults.
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