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Relationship Between Executive Function Subdomains and Postural Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Claudia Martínez-Carrasco1, Fernanda Cid-Navarrete2, Pedro O Rossel3,4
1Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Rehabilitación, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile.
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
|August 1, 2024
Summary
Executive function deficits impact older adults' fall risk. This study found that cognitive abilities like mental set shifting and inhibition are linked to postural balance, suggesting targeted training could prevent falls.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Executive function (EF) deficits are a known risk factor for falls in older adults (OAs).
- The specific relationships between EF subdomains (shifting, updating, inhibition), postural balance (PB), and fall risk in healthy OAs are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between EF subdomains and PB in community-dwelling OAs.
- To assess the impact of EF subdomains and PB on fall risk.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 50 healthy community-dwelling OAs (average age 72 years).
- Participants completed validated assessments of EF subdomains and PB.
- Correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression were used to analyze relationships.
Main Results:
- Significant correlations were found between EF subdomains and PB.
- Mental set shifting (r = -.539) and inhibition (r = -.395) showed inverse relationships with PB.
- Trail Making Test Part B significantly predicted PB (R2 = .42).
Conclusions:
- Assessing EF subdomains, particularly shifting and inhibition, is crucial for identifying fall risk in OAs.
- Trail Making Test Part B is a strong predictor of PB.
- Integrating EF assessments (e.g., Trail Making Test Part B) and PB assessments (e.g., Mini-BESTest) into routine care can aid fall prevention strategies.
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