IJmker, T. (Trienke) (2010) Gait and cognition: The relationship between executive function and gait variability in persons with and without dementia. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.
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Abstract
Background. Besides cognitive decline, dementia is characterized by gait changes and increased fall risk. Increased gait variability is one of the characteristics of these gait disturbances, and seems to be associated with decreased executive function. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the relationship between gait variability and executive function in persons with and without dementia. Methods. The study sample consisted of dementia patients (mean age 82, N=15), healthy older adults (mean age 77, N=14), and relatively younger adults (mean age 64, N=l2). Participants underwent neuropsychological testing, tests of single and dual task walking and Timed-up-and-Go (TUG) while wearing an accelerometer. Outcome measures included mean and CV of stride time, and measures regarding the magnitude, smoothness, predictability and local stability of trunk accelerations during walking. TUG acceleration signal was divided in stand-up, walking, and sit-down phase. Outcome parameters were TUG total duration, and duration, mean, and range of accelerations of stand-up and sit-down phase. Results. Patients with dementia exhibited significantly (p<0.05) less variable, but more irregular trunk acceleration patterns than cognitively intact elderly, on single and dual task walking. Gait pattern during dual tasking for the whole group became increasingly unstable, even though participants showed lower walking speed, and decreased magnitude of trunk accelerations. Only total TUG duration was significantly higher for the dementia group. Moderate to high correlations (r >.51) were found between several executive tasks and gait parameters. Conclusion. The results support the notion that decreased executive function plays an important role in increased gait variability and fall risk in dementia patients, a fact that should be considered when designing fall risk interventions for this population.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Thesis) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Lamoth, Claudine J.C. PhD |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Jun 2020 11:02 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Jun 2020 11:02 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2257 |
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