Factors Associated with Fear of Falling in Individuals with Different Types of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia.
• Fear of falling (FOF) is a significant concern for individuals with MCI, impacting their quality of life and increasing fall risk.
• Understanding the specific drivers of FOF in different MCI subtypes is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factors associated with fear of falling (FOF) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (AD-MCI) and Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI).

Main Methods:

• Seventy-one participants were divided into AD-MCI (n=37) and PD-MCI (n=34) groups.
• Fear of falling was assessed using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale.
• Neuropsychological and gait assessments were conducted, including measures of cognitive function, balance, and gait parameters.

Main Results:

• In the AD-MCI group, FOF correlated with global cognitive function, attention/working memory, executive function, balance (Tinetti scale), gait speed, and stride length. Attention and working memory were key predictors.
• In the PD-MCI group, FOF correlated with gait speed and the Time Up and Go test. Turn-to-walk was the most significant factor.
• These findings highlight distinct factors contributing to FOF in different MCI populations.

Conclusions:

• Fear of falling in AD-MCI is primarily linked to cognitive deficits, particularly in attention and working memory.
• In PD-MCI, fear of falling is more closely associated with gait impairments, specifically turning.
• Tailored therapeutic strategies addressing attention/working memory for AD-MCI and turn-to-walk for PD-MCI may effectively reduce FOF and improve patient outcomes.