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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research article

Cognitive function and gait speed under normal and dual-task walking among older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Authors: Takehiko Doi, Hiroyuki Shimada, Hyuma Makizako, Kota Tsutsumimoto, Kazuki Uemura, Yuya Anan, Takao Suzuki

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Gait ability and cognitive function are interrelated during both normal walking (NW) and dual-task walking (DTW), and gait ability is thus adversely affected by cognitive impairment in both situations. However, this association is insufficiently understood in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Here, we conducted a study with MCI participants, to examine whether the association depends on walking conditions and MCI subtypes.

Methods

We classified 389 elderly adults into amnestic MCI (n = 191) and non-amnestic MCI (n = 198), assessed their cognitive functions, and administered gait experiments under NW and DTW conditions. Gait ability was defined as gait speed. Five aspects of cognitive function were assessed: processing speed, executive function, working memory, verbal memory, and visual memory.

Results

Regression analysis adjusted for covariates showed a significant association between cognitive functions and gait speed. Processing speed and executive function correlated with gait speed during both NW and DTW (p < .05). Gait speed during DTW was also significantly associated with working memory (p < .001). Visual memory was associated during NW and DTW, particularly for amnestic MCI participants (p < .05).

Conclusions

Our findings support the idea that the association between gait speed and cognitive function depends on walking condition and MCI subtypes. Additional studies are necessary to determine the neural basis for the disruption in gait control in older adults with MCI.
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Metadata
Title
Cognitive function and gait speed under normal and dual-task walking among older adults with mild cognitive impairment
Authors
Takehiko Doi
Hiroyuki Shimada
Hyuma Makizako
Kota Tsutsumimoto
Kazuki Uemura
Yuya Anan
Takao Suzuki
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-14-67

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