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Updated: May 10, 2026

Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults

Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults

Published on: November 7, 2014

Brain structural change and gait decline: a longitudinal population-based study.

Michele L Callisaya¹, Richard Beare, Thanh G Phan

¹Stroke and Aging Research Group, Department of Medicine, Southern Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. michele.callisaya@monash.edu

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

|June 26, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Brain atrophy and white matter lesion progression are linked to declining mobility in older adults. Maintaining brain health may be key to preserving gait function and preventing falls.

Keywords:

aging brain structure gait

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Gerontology
Biomedical Engineering

Background:

Gait decline is a significant issue in aging populations, impacting independence and quality of life.
Understanding the relationship between brain structure changes and gait impairment is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the longitudinal associations between changes in brain structure and the progression of gait decline in older adults.
To determine the relative contributions of brain atrophy and white matter lesion progression to gait impairment.

Main Methods:

A longitudinal study involving 225 individuals aged 60-86 from the Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to assess volumes of gray matter, white matter, hippocampi, and white matter lesions (WML).
Gait variables were measured using a computerized walkway, with linear regression analyzing associations between brain changes and gait decline.

Main Results:

White matter atrophy correlated with reduced gait speed, step length, and cadence.
White matter lesion progression was associated with decreased gait speed and, in older individuals, with reduced step length.
Hippocampal atrophy was linked to declines in gait speed and step length, while gray matter atrophy affected cadence in individuals with cerebral infarcts.

Conclusions:

This study provides the first longitudinal evidence linking brain atrophy and WML progression to gait decline in older adults.
Age and presence of infarcts modify these associations, suggesting a role for reduced physiological and brain reserve.
Interventions focused on brain health may be essential for preventing mobility decline in the elderly.