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Updated: Sep 14, 2026
Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
Gait speed and neurocognitive disorders: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
Huriye Khodabakhshi1, Vahid Rashedi1, Farshad Sharifi2,3
1Iranian Research Center on Aging, Department of Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Gait reflects cognitive function and may serve as a window into cognitive health. This study investigates the relationship between gait speed (GS) and the onset of cognitive impairments. A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort and longitudinal studies from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (up to July 2024) was conducted. Hazard ratios (HR) were analyzed using R software. Forty studies were included. Slow GS showed an HR of 1.47 (1.19-1.82) for dementia risk. A GS decrement of ≥0.05 m/s resulted in an HR of 2.01 (1.34-3.01). A faster baseline GS was not significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia (HR 0.97, 0.94-1.01). Subjective GS decrement displayed an HR of 1.74 (1.61-1.87). Declining GS and slower gait performance are significant factors for cognitive impairment. GS may serve as an early indicator for neurocognitive disorders. Regular GS assessments should be embedded into screening programs for older adults to help mitigate cognitive decline.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-026-02073-5.
