Complex Walking Tasks and Risk for Cognitive Decline in High Functioning Older Adults.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Complex walking tasks may serve as an early indicator for cognitive decline in aging populations.
• Maintaining cognitive function is crucial for independent living in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific walking tasks most strongly associated with subsequent cognitive decline.
• To evaluate the predictive value of different walking task performances for cognitive trajectory.

Main Methods:

• Community-dwelling older adults (n=223, mean age 78.7) underwent usual-pace, fast-pace, narrow-path, and dual-task walking assessments.
• Cognitive decline was determined by the slope of Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) scores over approximately 5.2 years.
• Logistic regression analyzed associations between gait speeds and cognitive decline, with sensitivity analyses using adjudicated mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.

Main Results:

• Faster fast-pace gait speed (OR=0.87 per 0.1 m/s) and dual-task gait speed (OR=0.84 per 0.1 m/s) were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of cognitive decline.
• Usual-pace gait speed did not show a significant association with cognitive decline (OR=0.96 per 0.1 m/s).
• Findings were consistent when using adjudicated MCI or dementia as the outcome variable.

Conclusions:

• Fast-pace and dual-task walking assessments are simple, effective tools for identifying older adults at risk of cognitive decline.
• These walking-based screening methods can aid in developing strategies to prevent or delay cognitive impairment.
• Early identification through gait analysis supports proactive interventions for cognitive health in aging individuals.