Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
12:18
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
8.2K
Walking ability to predict future cognitive decline in old adults: A scoping review
Lisette H J Kikkert1, Nicolas Vuillerme2, Jos P van Campen3
1University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, A. Deusinglaan 1, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands; Univ. Grenoble Alpes, EA AGEIS, La Tronche, France.
Ageing Research Reviews
|February 11, 2016
Summary
Gait slowing in midlife may predict future cognitive decline and dementia. Analyzing walking ability, including gait speed and dynamic parameters, can enhance early detection and intervention strategies for cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Early identification of cognitive decline risk is crucial for effective intervention.
- Current prediction models use neuropsychological and biological markers.
- Motor and cognitive functions share neural pathways, suggesting gait analysis could aid prediction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between midlife walking ability and subsequent cognitive decline.
- To assess the potential of gait measures as additional predictive markers for cognitive impairment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of 20 longitudinal studies.
- Analysis focused on gait speed and other gait parameters (step frequency, variability, step-length).
- Average follow-up duration was 4.5 years.
Main Results:
- Gait slowing (0.68-1.1 m/sec) was found to precede cognitive decline and dementia.
- Maximal odds and hazard ratios for gait slowing predicting cognitive decline were 10.4 and 11.1, respectively.
- Gait speed alone may lack specificity for predicting cognitive decline.
Conclusions:
- Measures of walking ability, particularly gait analysis with dynamic parameters, show promise as additional markers for predicting cognitive decline.
- Gait analysis should be considered in clinical evaluations for suspected cognitive decline.
- Further research is needed to determine the specificity and accuracy of various gait characteristics in predicting cognitive decline.
