Changes in Physical and Cognitive Function Predict Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) affects a growing elderly population.
• Sedentary behavior is a significant health risk, particularly in older adults.
• Understanding factors influencing sedentary behavior in MCI is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal relationship between cognitive function, lower extremity function, and sedentary behavior in older adults with MCI.
• To quantify the impact of changes in cognitive assessment (MoCA) and physical performance (SPPB) on sedentary behavior over six months.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design involving 17 community-dwelling older adults with MCI.
• Multilevel modeling to analyze changes in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores.
• Objective measurement of daily sedentary behavior using wrist-worn actigraphy, averaged monthly.

Main Results:

• A 1-unit decrease in MoCA score was associated with a 2% increase in sedentary behavior (p ≤ 0.01).
• A 1-unit decrease in chair stand score (lower extremity strength) correlated with a 5% increase in sedentary behavior (p ≤ 0.01).
• The most significant increases in sedentary behavior were observed in individuals with concurrent cognitive decline and reduced lower extremity strength.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive decline and diminished lower extremity strength are significant predictors of increased sedentary behavior in older adults with MCI.
• Lower body strengthening interventions show promise for reducing sedentary behavior and preserving physical function in this population.
• Further research into integrated interventions addressing both cognitive and physical health is warranted.