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Functional mobility and executive function in elderly diabetics and non-diabetics
Patrícia P Alvarenga1, Daniele S Pereira, Daniela M C Anjos
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Revista Brasileira De Fisioterapia (Sao Carlos (Sao Paulo, Brazil))
|February 23, 2011
Summary
Elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes exhibit poorer functional mobility and executive function, increasing their risk of falls. Physical therapy should incorporate these assessments for diabetic patients to enhance function and prevent falls.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Diabetology
- Neurology
Background:
- Elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes often experience cognitive deficits, particularly in executive function.
- These cognitive impairments in diabetic seniors can elevate their risk of falls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare functional mobility, fall risk, and executive function between elderly individuals with and without type 2 diabetes.
- To investigate the correlations between these variables in elderly populations.
Main Methods:
- Forty community-dwelling elderly participants were divided into two groups: type 2 diabetes (G1) and no diabetes (G2).
- Functional mobility and fall risk were assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and cognitive TUG tests.
- Executive function was evaluated via the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) (animal category).
Main Results:
- Elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes (G1) demonstrated significantly worse performance on the Verbal Fluency Test compared to the non-diabetic group (G2).
- Group G1 also showed poorer functional mobility in both TUG and cognitive TUG tests.
- A significant negative correlation between cognitive TUG and VFT was found exclusively in the diabetic group (G1).
Conclusions:
- Diabetic elderly individuals exhibit diminished functional mobility and verbal fluency, indicating a heightened risk of falls.
- Integrating executive function and functional mobility assessments into physical therapy is vital for managing diabetic elderly patients.
- These evaluations are crucial for maintaining functionality and preventing falls in this population.
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