The association between cognitive impairment, gait speed, and Walk ratio

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Aging Neuroscience

Ingvill Naterstad¹  Mari Kalland Knapstad²  Bård Bogen³ 

[1] Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway;Department of Health and Function, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway;Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway;Department of Health and Function, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Hordaland, Norway;Department of rehabilitation services, Haraldsplass Deaconal Hospital (HDS), Bergen, Hordaland, Norway;

关键词: Walk ratio;    gait speed;    cognitive impairment;    older adults;    motor control;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnagi.2023.1092990

 received in 2022-11-08, accepted in 2023-04-26,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundGait speed has been found to be associated with cognitive function. However, gait speed is an unspecific measure that may not be informative about gait patterns. The Walk ratio (step length divided by step frequency) can be measured without specialized equipment, and has been suggested as an indicator of central gait control. However, the association with cognitive function is unknown.Research questionIs there a relationship between Walk ratio and cognitive function, and gait speed and cognitive function?MethodsThis was a systematic literature review of studies where spatiotemporal gait parameters was reported in populations with cognitive impairment. The search was performed through PubMed, PEDro, AMED, Cochrane, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO. The studies had to contain either the Walk ratio, or report average step length and average step frequency. In the latter case, the average step length was divided by the average step frequency. The studies also had to report gait speed and the minimal mental state examination (MMSE). Studies testing patients on treadmills or that did not state the exclusion of patients with neurologic or orthopedic diseases, possible affecting gait ability, were excluded.ResultsA total of 24 studies were included, consisting of 909 patients with cognitive impairment and 4,108 healthy controls. The patient group had a lower Walk ratio (mean difference 0.07, p ≤ 0.001) and gait speed (mean difference 0.26, p ≤ 0.001) than the healthy controls. Using linear regression models, we found an association between the MMSE and the Walk ratio (R2 = 0.29, p < 0.001) and gait speed (R2 = 0.41, p < 0.001) in separate, unadjusted models. In a final model with Walk ratio, gait speed and age, Walk ratio was not significantly associated with MMSE, while gait speed was.SignificanceOur results suggest that preferred gait speed may be preferable to the Walk ratio when assessing older adults with cognitive impairment.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Knapstad, Naterstad and Bogen.