Longitudinal assessment of neuropsychological and temporal/spatial gait characteristics of elderly fallers: taking it all in stride

Gait abnormalities and longitudinal fall risk in older patients with end-stage kidney disease and sarcopenia

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia, gait disturbance, and intradialytic hypotension are among the various factors that contribute to fall risk. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between risk of sarcopenia, hemodialysis (HD) session, and long-term fall risk in older end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients by analyzing their spatiotemporal gait characteristics.

METHODS

We recruited 22 non-demented patients aged ≥ 65 years who were undergoing maintenance HD. Participants were divided into two groups based on their SARC-F score (< 4 and ≥ 4) to identify those with higher and lower risk of sarcopenia. Demographics, comorbidities, and renal parameters were compared between groups. Inertial measurement unit-based technology equipped with triaxial accelerometry and gyroscope was used to evaluate gait characteristics. The gait task was assessed both before and after dialysis using the Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and a 10-meter walking test at a regular pace. Essential gait parameters were thoroughly analyzed, including gait speed, stride time, stride length, double-support phase, stability, and symmetry. We investigated the interaction between the dialysis procedure and gait components. Outcome of interest was any occurrence of injurious fall during follow-up period. Logistic regression models were employed to examine the relationship between baseline gait markers and long-term fall risk.

RESULTS

The SARC-F ≥ 4 group showed various gait abnormalities, including longer TUG time, slower gait speed, longer stride time, shorter stride length, and longer double support time compared to counterpart (SARC-F < 4). After HD sessions, the SARC-F ≥ 4 group showed a 2.0-second decrease in TUG task time, an 8.0 cm/s increase in gait speed, an 11.6% lower stride time, and a 2.4% increase in gait symmetry with significant group-time interactions. Shorter stride length and longer double support time were associated with injurious falls during the two-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the utility of triaxial accelerometers in extracting gait characteristics in older HD patients. High-risk sarcopenia (SARC-F ≥ 4) was associated with various gait abnormalities, some of which partially improved after HD sessions. These gait abnormalities were predictive of future falls, highlighting their prognostic significance.

Dual-task turn velocity - a novel digital biomarker for mild cognitive impairment and dementia

Background

Disorders associated with cognitive impairment impose a significant burden on both families and society. Previous studies have indicated that gait characteristics under dual-task as reliable markers of early cognitive impairment. Therefore, digital gait detection has great potential for future cognitive screening. However, research on digital biomarkers based on smart devices to identify cognitive impairment remains limited. The aim of this study is to explore digital gait biomarkers by utilizing intelligent wearable devices for discriminating mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Methods

This study included 122 subjects (age: 74.7 ± 7.7 years) diagnosed with normal cognition (NC, n = 38), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 42), or dementia (n = 42). All subjects underwent comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and cranial Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Gait parameters were collected using validated wearable devices in both single-task and dual-task (DT). We analyzed the ability of gait variables to predict MCI and dementia, and examined the correlations between specific DT-gait parameters and sub-cognitive functions as well as hippocampal atrophy.

Results

Our results demonstrated that dual-task could significantly improve the ability to predict cognitive impairment based on gait parameters such as gait speed (GS) and stride length (SL). Additionally, we discovered that turn velocity (TV and DT-TV) can be a valuable novel digital marker for predicting MCI and dementia, for identifying MCI (DT-TV: AUC = 0.801, sensitivity 0.738, specificity 0.842), and dementia (DT-TV: AUC = 0.923, sensitivity 0.857, specificity 0.842). The correlation analysis and linear regression analysis revealed a robust association between DT-TV and memory function, as well as the hippocampus atrophy.

Conclusion

This study presents a novel finding that DT-TV could accurately identify varying degrees of cognitive impairment. DT-TV is strongly correlated with memory function and hippocampus shrinkage, suggests that it can accurately reflect changes in cognitive function. Therefore, DT-TV could serve as a novel and effective digital biomarker for discriminating cognitive impairment.

Determination of the Predictors with the Greatest Influence on Walking in the Elderly

Background and Objectives: Previous studies have revealed that independent variables (lower extremity strength, postural control ability, and body composition) influence gait performance and variability, but the difference in the relative influence between these variables is unclear. Hence, this study determines the variable that is the most influential predictor of gait performance and variability among potential independent variables in the elderly. Materials and Methods: Seventy-eight subjects aged ≥60 years participated. For each subject, the gait variables and lower extremity muscle strength were measured using an accelerometer worn on both feet during a 6-minute walk and a manual force sensor, respectively. The static balance ability was measured through two force plates, and the body composition was measured by applying bioelectrical impedance analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed stepwise to determine whether these variables affect gait performance and variability. Results: After adjusting for sex and gait performance, the ankle strength, body fat mass, mean velocity in the medial-lateral direction, ankle plantar flexion strength, and girth were predictors of gait speed dorsiflexion, gait performance, swing width of the gait performance, walking speed, and gait variability, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, gait performance in the elderly is related to muscle strength, postural control, and body composition in a complex manner, but gait variability appears to be more closely related to ankle muscle strength. This study provides further evidence that muscle strength is important in motor function and stability.

Gait monitoring for older adults during guided walking: An integrated assistive robot and wearable sensor approach

An active lifestyle can mitigate physical decline and cognitive impairment in older adults. Regular walking exercises for older individuals result in enhanced balance and reduced risk of falling. In this article, we present a study on gait monitoring for older adults during walking using an integrated system encompassing an assistive robot and wearable sensors. The system fuses data from the robot onboard Red Green Blue plus Depth (RGB-D) sensor with inertial and pressure sensors embedded in shoe insoles, and estimates spatiotemporal gait parameters and dynamic margin of stability in real-time. Data collected with 24 participants at a community center reveal associations between gait parameters, physical performance (evaluated with the Short Physical Performance Battery), and cognitive ability (measured with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment). The results validate the feasibility of using such a portable system in out-of-the-lab conditions and will be helpful for designing future technology-enhanced exercise interventions to improve balance, mobility, and strength and potentially reduce falls in older adults.

Driving Performance in Older Adults: Current Measures, Findings, and Implications for Roadway Safety

Background and Objectives

Over 10,000 people a day turn 65 in the United States. For many older adults, driving represents an essential component of independence and is one of the most important factors in overall mobility. Recent survey studies in older adults suggest that up to 60% of older adult drivers with mild cognitive impairment, and up to 30% with dementia, continue to drive. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive and detailed resource on the topics of cognition and driving for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working on efforts related to older adult drivers.

Research Design and Methods

Publications on PubMed and Medline and discussions with experts working in geriatrics, technology, driving policy, psychology, and diverse aspects of driving performance were utilized to inform the current review.

Results

Research indicates that there is a complex and inverse correlation between multiple cognitive measures, driving performance, and risky driving behaviors. The fragmented nature of available peer-reviewed literature, and a reliance on correlative data, do not currently allow for the identification of the temporal and reciprocal nature of the interplay between cognition and driving endpoints.

Discussion and Implications

There are currently no widely accepted definitions, conceptual models, or uniform set of analyses for conducting geriatric research that is focused on driving. Establishing conventions for conducting research that harmonizes the fields of geriatrics, cognition, and driving research is critical for the development of the evidence base that will inform clinical practice and road safety policy.

Instrumented Gait Analysis to Identify Persistent Deficits in Gait Stability in Adults With Chronic Vestibular Loss

Importance

Regaining the ability to walk safely is a high priority for adults with vestibular loss. Thus, practitioners need comprehensive knowledge of vestibulopathic gait to design, provide, and/or interpret outcomes of interventions. To date, few studies have characterized the effects of vestibular loss on gait.

Objectives

To investigate the use of an instrumented 2-minute walk test in adults with vestibular loss, to further characterize vestibulopathic gait, and to assess whether those with chronic vestibular loss have enduring gait deficits.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study, conducted between April 3, 2018, and June 27, 2019, recruited adults 20 to 79 years of age from an academic, tertiary, hospital-based, ambulatory care setting who were healthy or had confirmed unilateral or bilateral vestibular hypofunction. Of the 43 adults who were screened from convenience and referred samples, 2 declined, and 7 were excluded because of health conditions.

Exposures

The main exposure was the instrumented 2-minute walk test, which was conducted with participants using wearable inertial measurement units while they walked a 10-m path at their self-selected speed and turned 180° in their self-selected direction at either end.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary measures were spatiotemporal gait metrics (eg, stride length [SL] and peak whole-body turning velocity). Multivariate analysis of variance was used to assess between-group differences. Validity was assessed using the area under the curve from receiver operator characteristic analyses.

Results

Data from 17 healthy adults (mean [SD] age, 39.27 [11.20] years; 13 [76%] female) and 13 adults with vestibular loss (mean [SD] age, 60.50 [10.81] years; 6 [46%] female) were analyzed. Very large between-group differences were found for SL (left) (estimated marginal mean [SE] for healthy vs vestibular groups, 1.47 [0.04] m vs 1.31 [0.04] m; Cohen d, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.18-2.52), SL (right) (estimated marginal mean [SE] for healthy vs vestibular groups, 1.46 [0.04] m vs 1.29 [0.04] m; Cohen d, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.25-2.62), and peak turn velocity (estimated marginal mean [SE] for healthy vs vestibular groups, 240.17 [12.78]°/s vs 189.74 [14.70]°/s; Cohen d, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.07-2.40). The area under the curve was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.62-0.95) for SL (left), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.64-0.97) for SL (right), and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.72-0.99) for peak turn velocity.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, instrumented gait analysis had good discriminative validity and revealed persistent deficits in gait stability in those with chronic vestibular loss. The findings of this study suggest that these clinically and functionally meaningful deficits could be targets for vestibular rehabilitation.

Slower gait speed increases risk of falling in older adults with depression and cognitive complaints

Slowed gait is one of the strongest predictors of fall risk in older adults. The present study investigated whether gait speed mediated the relationship between depression and fall history in 147 older adults presenting to a memory clinic for cognitive complaints. Depression, cognitive status, gait speed, and number of falls within the last year were the primary measures. Results revealed fallers, relative to non-fallers, had slower gait speed and higher depression scores. As hypothesized, analyses using the PROCESS macro found that gait mediated the relationship between depression and fall history. Additionally, the combination of depression and mild cognitive impairments (MCI) associated with a significantly greater likelihood of falling. Our findings indicate that combined depression and MCI have additive effects on fall risk, likely through the destabilizing effect of slowed gait on balance. Better understanding the underlying pathophysiology involved in MCI and depression-related gait disturbances may lead to improved intervention targets for fall risk prevention.

Dual-Task Gait Assessment in a Clinical Sample: Implications for Improved Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVES

Research has longitudinally linked dual-task gait dysfunction to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia risk. Our group previously demonstrated that dual-task gait speed assessment distinguished between subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) and MCI in a memory clinic setting, and also found that differences in dual-task gait speed were largely attributable to executive attention processes. This study aimed to reproduce these findings in a larger diverse sample and to extend them by examining whether there were group differences in single- versus dual-task cognitive performance (number of letters correctly sequenced backward).

METHOD

Two-hundred fifty-two patients (M age = 66.01 years, SD = 10.46; 119 MCI, 133 SCC) presenting with cognitive complaints in an academic medical setting underwent comprehensive neuropsychological and gait assessment (single- and dual-task conditions).

RESULTS

Patients with MCI walked slower and showed greater decrement in cognitive performance than those with SCC during dual-task conditions. Neuropsychological measures of executive attention accounted for significant variance in dual-task gait performance across diagnostic groups beyond demographic and health risk factors.

DISCUSSION

Reproduction of our results within a sample over four times the previous size provides support for the use of dual-task gait assessment as a marker of MCI risk in clinical settings.

Neuroimaging, Behavioral, and Gait Correlates of Fall Profile in Older Adults

Prior research has suggested that measurements of brain functioning and performance on dual tasks (tasks which require simultaneous performance) are promising candidate predictors of fall risk among older adults. However, no prior study has investigated whether brain function measurements during dual task performance could improve prediction of fall risks and whether the type of subtasks used in the dual task paradigm affects the strength of the association between fall characteristics and dual task performance. In this study, 31 cognitively normal, community-dwelling older adults provided a self-reported fall profile (number of falls and fear of falling), completed a gait dual task (spell a word backward while walking on a GaitRite mat), and completed a supine dual task (rhythmic finger tapping with one hand while completing the AX continuous performance task (AX-CPT) with the other hand) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Gait performance, AX-CPT reaction time and accuracy, finger tapping cadence, and brain functioning in finger-tapping-related and AX-CPT-related brain regions all showed declines in the dual task condition compared to the single task condition. Dual-task gait, AX-CPT and finger tapping performance, and brain functioning were all independent predictors of fall profile. No particular measurement domain stood out as being the most strongly associated measure with fall variables. Fall characteristics are determined by multiple factors; brain functioning, motor task, and cognitive task performance in challenging dual-task conditions all contribute to the risk of falling.

Can dual-task paradigms predict Falls better than single task? - A systematic literature review

With about one third of adults aged 65 years and older being reported worldwide to fall each year, and an even higher prevalence with advancing age, aged-related falls and the associated disabilities and mortality are a major public health concern. In this context, identification of fall risk in healthy older adults is a key component of fall prevention. Since dual-task outcomes rely on the interaction between cognition and motor control, some studies have demonstrated the role of dual-task walking performance or costs in predicting future fallers. However, based on previous reviews on the topic, (1) discriminative and (2) predictive powers of dual tasks involving gait and a concurrent task are still a matter of debate, as is (3) their superiority over single tasks in terms of fall-risk prediction. Moreover, less attention has been paid to dual tasks involving postural control and transfers (such as gait initiation and turns) as motor tasks. In the present paper, we therefore systematically reviewed recent literature over the last 7 years in order to answer the three above mentioned questions regarding the future of lab-based dual tasks (involving posture, gait initiation, gait and turning) as easily applicable tests for identifying healthy older adult fallers. Despite great heterogeneity among included studies, we emphasized, among other things, the promising added value of dual tasks including turns and other transfers, such as in the Timed Up and Go test, for prediction of falls. Further investigation of these is thus warranted.

Brain volumes and dual-task performance correlates among individuals with cognitive impairment: a retrospective analysis

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a prevalent condition characterized by loss of brain volume and changes in cognition, motor function, and dual-tasking ability. To examine associations between brain volumes, dual-task performance, and gait and balance in those with CI to elucidate the mechanisms underlying loss of function. We performed a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with CI and compared brain volumes, dual-task performance, and measures of gait and balance. Greater cognitive and combined dual-task effects (DTE) are associated with smaller brain volumes. In contrast, motor DTE is not associated with distinct pattern of brain volumes. As brain volumes decrease, dual-task performance becomes more motor prioritized. Cognitive DTE is more strongly associated with decreased performance on measures of gait and balance than motor DTE. Decreased gait and balance performance are also associated with increased motor task prioritization. Cognitive DTE appears to be more strongly associated with decreased automaticity and gait and balance ability than motor DTE and should be utilized as a clinical and research outcome measure in this population. The increased motor task prioritization associated with decreased brain volume and function indicates a potential for accommodative strategies to maximize function in those with CI. Counterintuitive correlations between motor brain volumes and motor DTE in our study suggest a complicated interaction between brain pathology and function.

Assessment of gait parameters and physical function in patients with advanced cancer participating in a 12-week exercise and nutrition programme: A controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Gait is a sensitive marker for functional declines commonly seen in patients treated for advanced cancer. We tested the effect of a combined exercise and nutrition programme on gait parameters of advanced-stage cancer patients using a novel wearable gait analysis system.

METHODS

Eighty patients were allocated to a control group with nutritional support or to an intervention group additionally receiving whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) training (2×/week). At baseline and after 12 weeks, physical function was assessed by a biosensor-based gait analysis during a six-minute walk test, a 30-s sit-to-stand test, a hand grip strength test, the Karnofsky Index and EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and inflammation by blood analysis.

RESULTS

Final analysis included 41 patients (56.1% male; 60.0 ± 13.0 years). After 12 weeks, the WB-EMS group showed higher stride length, gait velocity (p < .05), six-minute walking distance (p < .01), bodyweight and skeletal muscle mass, and emotional functioning (p < .05) compared with controls. Correlations between changes in gait and in body composition, physical function and inflammation were detected.

CONCLUSION

Whole-body electromyostimulation combined with nutrition may help to improve gait and functional status of cancer patients. Sensor-based mobile gait analysis objectively reflects patients' physical status and could support treatment decisions.

A taxonomy of cognitive tasks to evaluate cognitive-motor interference on spatiotemoporal gait parameters in older people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Walking in natural environments can be considered a dual-task (DT) scenario that requires increasing cognitive resources with advancing age. Previous reviews concluded that gait speed under DT conditions is equivalent to gait speed as a single task (ST) in the prediction of future falls in older people. However, without a clear taxonomy, these conclusions might be premature. The aim of this review is to use a taxonomy for classifying cognitive tasks of cognitive-motor interference (CMI) paradigms while walking to identify which task domains lead to more pronounced cognitive-motor decrements due to fall risk and concern about falling (CoF) in older people.

Methods

A systematic literature research following PRISMA guidelines was conducted using MEDLINE, Psych-Info and EMBASE. Inclusion criteria were: older people ≥60 years with a previous fall or CoF, use of a DT paradigm to discriminate fallers and non-fallers, straight overground walking, reported gait measurements during ST and DT conditions. A meta-analysis estimated the effect of DT costs for the cognitive task domain and spatiotemporal gait parameters.

Results

N = 3737 studies were found within the databases. Nineteen studies were included (n = 14 for meta-analysis). Fallers and people with CoF showed reduced walking speed for ST and DT conditions. Effects of DT were examined for mental tracking tasks. The combined odds ratio (OR [95% confidence interval]) for fallers vs. non-fallers for ST was 3.13 [0.47, 5.80] with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 48%). For DT, the OR was 5.17 [2.42, 7.93] with low heterogeneity (I² = 37%). Comparing participants with and without CoF, the OR for ST was 12.41 [9.97, 14.84] with high heterogeneity (I² = 85%) and OR for mental tracking DT was 10.49 [7.58, 13.40] with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 51%).

Conclusion

CMI was not significantly different between fallers and non-fallers or people with and without CoF; however, our taxonomy revealed a large variety of cognitive conditions and a higher number of studies using mental tracking tasks, which make it impossible to draw firm conclusions. Future studies should use a more standardised and ecologically valid approach when evaluating the validity of DT gait performance in the prediction of falls, CoF or other age-related conditions.

Trial registration

This review was registered at Prospero with the ID: CRD42017068912.

Fear of Falling Contributing to Cautious Gait Pattern in Women Exposed to a Fictional Disturbing Factor: A Non-randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the gait pattern of elderly women with and without fall-history, with high and low fear of falling, when exposed to a disturbing factor. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine elderly women without cognitive impairment agreed to participate. Participants were divided into four groups, considering the history of falls and fear of falling. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to assess gait kinematics before and after exposure to the fictional disturbing factor (psychological and non-motor agent). Results: After being exposed to the perturbation, all showed shorter step length, stride length and slower walking speed. Those without fall-history and with high fear of falling showed greater changes and lower Gait Profile Score. Conclusion: The gait changes shown in the presence of a fear-of-falling causing agent led to a cautious gait pattern in an attempt to increase protection. However, those changes increased fall-risk, boosted by fear of falling. Clinical Trial Registration: www.residentialclinics.gov.br, identifier: RBR-35xhj5.

Different strength declines in leg primary movers versus stabilizers across age-Implications for the risk of falls in older adults?

This study investigated differences in the declines of isometric strength in hip abductors and adductors versus knee extensors across four different age groups (n = 31: 11.2 ± 1.0 y, n = 30: 23.1 ± 2.7 y, n = 27: 48.9 ± 4.4 y, and n = 33: 70.1 ± 4.2 y) with a total of 121 female subjects. As a starting point, we assumed that, during their daily activities, elderly people would use their leg stabilizers less frequently than their leg primary movers as compared to younger people. Given that muscle strength decreases in the course of the aging process, we hypothesized that larger strength declines in hip abductors and hip adductors as compared to knee extensors would be detected across age. Maximal isometric force for these muscle groups was assessed with a digital hand-held dynamometer. Measurements were taken at 75% of the thigh or shank length and expressed relative to body weight and lever arm length. Intratester reliability of the normalized maximal torques was estimated by using Cronbach’s alpha and calculated to be larger than 0.95. The obtained results indicate a clearly more pronounced strength decline in hip abductors and hip adductors across age than in the knee extensors. Therefore, a particular need for strength training of the lower extremity stabilizer muscles during the aging process is implied.

Differences in Cognitive-Motor Interference in Older Adults While Walking and Performing a Visual-Verbal Stroop Task

Objectives: Studies using the dual-task (DT) paradigm to explain age-related performance decline due to cognitive-motor interference (CMI) which causes DT costs (DTCs) revealed contradictory results for performances under DT conditions. This cross-sectional study analyzed whether differences in demographics, physical functioning, concerns of falling (CoF), and other mental factors can explain positive and negative DTCs in older adults while walking in DT situations.

Methodology: N = 222 participants (57–89 years) performed a single task (ST) and a DT walking condition (visual-verbal Stroop task) in randomized order on a treadmill. Gait parameters (step length, step width) were measured at a constant self-selected walking speed. Demographics [age, Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE)], physical functioning (hand grip strength), CoF [Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I)], and mental factors [Short Form-12 (SF-12)] were assessed. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to reveal subgroup differences. A four-step hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to identify which variables determine the DTC.

Results: Three subgroups were identified: (1) participants (n = 53) with positive DTCs (improvements under DT conditions); (2) participants with negative DTCs (n = 60) in all gait parameters; and (3) participants (n = 109) who revealed non-uniform DTCs. Baseline characteristics between the subgroups showed differences in age (F_(2,215) = 4.953; p = 0.008; η² = 0.044). The regression analysis revealed that physical functioning was associated with positive DTC and CoF with negative DTC.

Conclusion: The results confirmed a huge inter-individual variability in older adults. They lead us to suggest that factors causing performance differences in DTCs needs to be reassessed. Functional age seems to determine DTCs rather than calendric age. Psychological variables particularly seem to negatively influence DT performance.

Assessing gait parameters with accelerometer-based methods to identify older adults at risk of falls: a systematic review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review to assess the utility of accelerometric methods to identify older adults at risk of falls.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed during all steps of this systematic review. Cross sectional and longitudinal studies assessing gait parameters in older adults using accelerometric devices, and comparing groups based on the risk of falls or fall history were identified from studies published in the MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews databases between January 1996 and January 2017. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The quality of the methodology used in the studies included was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

RESULTS

In total, 354 references were identified through the database search. After selection, ten studies were included in this systematic review. According to the cross sectional studies, people who fall or are at risk of fall are slower, and walk with shorter steps, lower step frequency, worse stride and step regularity in terms of time, position and acceleration profiles. One longitudinal study suggests considering harmonic ratio of upper trunk acceleration in the vertical plane. Two other longitudinal studies highlight the importance of considering more than one gait parameter, and sophisticated statistical tools to discern older adults at risk for future fall(s).

CONCLUSION

This systematic review essentially highlights the lack of available literature providing strong evidence that gait parameters obtained using acceleration-based methods could be useful to discern older people at risk of fall. Available literature is encouraging, but further high quality studies are needed to highlight the cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between gait parameters and falls in older adults.

Differential associations between dual-task walking abilities and usual gait patterns in healthy older adults-Results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging

BACKGROUND

It is well established that facing a cognitive challenge while carrying out a motor task interferes with the motor task performance, and in general the ability of handling a dual-task declines progressively with aging. However, the reasons for this decline have not been fully elucidated. Understanding the association between usual-walking gait patterns and dual-task walking performance may provide new insights into the mechanisms that lead to gait deterioration in normal aging and its link to motor and cognitive function.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Our aim was to assess usual gait parameters in kinematics and kinetics to understand how these parameters are related with a specific task in dual-task walking.

METHODS

We hypothesized that difficulty in dual-task walking would be associated with gait deteriorations as reflected in range of motion and mechanical work expenditure. We tested this hypothesis by quantifying the gait of 383 participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (68% of whom successfully completed the dual-task walk, 21% failed the motor task, and 11% failed the cognitive task).

RESULTS

Compared to successful performers, participants who failed the single motor task had slower gait speed, shorter stride length, higher cadence, and lower range of motion in the knee and ankle joints (p < 0.05, for all), while the participants who failed the cognitive task while walking had longer double support time (p = 0.003), and greater knee absorptive mechanical work (p = 0. 001) and lower ankle generative mechanical work (p < 0. 001).

SIGNIFICANCE

These results suggest that dual-task walking may be useful for monitoring subtle and diverse gait deteriorations in aging and possibly for designing interventions for maintaining and regaining proper gait patterns in older adults.

Retention of gait stability improvements over 1.5 years in older adults: effects of perturbation exposure and triceps surae neuromuscular exercise

The plantarflexors play a crucial role in recovery from sudden disturbances to gait. The objective of this study was to investigate whether medium (months)- or long(years)-term exercise-induced enhancement of triceps surae (TS) neuromuscular capacities affects older adults' ability to retain improvements in reactive gait stability during perturbed walking acquired from perturbation training sessions. Thirty-four adult women (65 ± 7 yr) were recruited to a perturbation training group ( n = 13) or a group that additionally completed 14 wk of TS neuromuscular exercise ( n = 21), 12 of whom continued with the exercise for 1.5 yr. The margin of stability (MoS) was analyzed at touchdown of the perturbed step and the first recovery step following eight separate unexpected trip perturbations during treadmill walking. TS muscle-tendon unit mechanical properties and motor skill performance were assessed with ultrasonography and dynamometry. Two perturbation training sessions (baseline and after 14 wk) caused an improvement in the reactive gait stability to the perturbations (increased MoS) in both groups. The perturbation training group retained the reactive gait stability improvements acquired over 14 wk and over 1.5 yr, with a minor decay over time. Despite the improvements in TS capacities in the additional exercise group, no benefits for the reactive gait stability following perturbations were identified. Therefore, older adults' neuromotor system shows rapid plasticity to repeated unexpected perturbations and an ability to retain these adaptations in reactive gait stability over a long time period, but an additional exercise-related enhancement of TS capacities seems not to further improve these effects. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Older adults' neuromotor system shows rapid plasticity to repeated exposure to unexpected perturbations to gait and an ability to retain the majority of these adaptations in reactive recovery responses over a prolonged time period of 1.5 yr. However, an additional exercise-related enhancement of TS neuromuscular capacities is not necessarily transferred to the recovery behavior during unexpected perturbations to gait in older adults.

Improving Sensitivity to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment: Cognitive Load Dual-Task Gait Speed Assessment

OBJECTIVES

Longitudinal research indicates that cognitive load dual-task gait assessment is predictive of cognitive decline and thus might provide a sensitive measure to screen for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, research among older adults being clinically evaluated for cognitive concerns, a defining feature of MCI, is lacking. The present study investigated the effect of performing a cognitive task on normal walking speed in patients presenting to a memory clinic with cognitive complaints.

METHODS

Sixty-one patients with a mean age of 68 years underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing, clinical interview, and gait speed (simple- and dual-task conditions) assessments. Thirty-four of the 61 patients met criteria for MCI.

RESULTS

Repeated measure analyses of covariance revealed that greater age and MCI both significantly associated with slower gait speed, ps<.05. Follow-up analysis indicated that the MCI group had significantly slower dual-task gait speed but did not differ in simple-gait speed. Multivariate linear regression across groups found that executive attention performance accounted for 27.4% of the variance in dual-task gait speed beyond relevant demographic and health risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study increases the external validity of dual-task gait assessment of MCI. Differences in dual-task gait speed appears to be largely attributable to executive attention processes. These findings have clinical implications as they demonstrate expected patterns of gait-brain behavior relationships in response to a cognitive dual task within a clinically representative population. Cognitive load dual-task gait assessment may provide a cost efficient and sensitive measure to detect older adults at high risk of a dementia disorder. (JINS, 2017, 23, 493-501).

Gait, balance, and patient-reported outcomes during taxane-based chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a dose-limiting toxicity of several commonly used chemotherapy drugs including taxanes, vinca alkaloids, and platinum compounds. Development of CIPN is highly variable, both in self-reported symptoms and functional consequences, and can be severe enough to alter dose intensity.

PURPOSE

To describe the natural histories of both patient-reported symptoms of CIPN and functional impairments in breast cancer patients undergoing taxane-based chemotherapy.

METHODS

Thirty-three breast cancer patients (32 female/1 male; 47.8 ± 11.2 years; n = 17 stage II/n = 16 stage III) were enrolled. Patients completed self-reports of symptoms and function (e.g., EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) and objective measures of physical function (i.e., balance and gait testing) in an outpatient oncology clinic at five timepoints: (1) baseline-prior to starting chemotherapy, (2-4) before starting subsequent chemotherapy cycles, and (5) 1-3 months after receiving their last taxane infusion.

RESULTS

Significant negative changes in both patient-reported outcomes and objective functional measures were observed. Decreased balance was observed after the first chemotherapy cycle (28% increase in medial-lateral excursion of the center of pressure, p = 0.016) and progressed with cumulative exposure (43% increase, p < 0.001). Patients also demonstrated slower walking speeds (5% decrease, p = 0.003) as they progressed through treatment. These functional deficits were mirrored with increased patient-reported symptom severity for all EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 subscales (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study longitudinally assessed patient-reported outcomes concurrently with balance and gait testing in patients undergoing taxane therapy. Taxane treatment was associated with the development of clinically relevant problems in both CIPN symptoms and patient function.

Impact of cognitive fatigue on gait and sway among older adults: A literature review

Cognitive fatigue is an alteration in central nervous system (CNS) processing due to prolonged performance of mentally demanding tasks. Decreased gait speed and increased stride length variability have been noted in cognitively fatigued older adults (≥ 65 years). Further, cognitive fatigue may weaken the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems of the CNS, contributing to increased postural sway. Detriments in gait and sway caused by cognitive fatigue could increase fall risk. The objective of this literature review was to evaluate the impact of cognitive fatigue on changes in gait and postural sway and its role in fall risk.

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Cognitive fatigue may cause gait disturbances in older adults (≥ 65 years).

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Cognitive fatigue may increase postural sway in older adults.

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Cognitive fatigue may be considered a fall risk for older adults.

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Interventions to attenuate cognitive fatigue should be further explored.

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Studies should explore the role of cognitive fatigue in fall risk.

Medidas temporoespaciais indicativas de quedas em mulheres saudáveis entre 50 e 70 anos avaliadas pela análise tridimensional da marcha

RESUMO Objetivou-se comparar e correlacionar medidas temporoespaciais da marcha indicativas de quedas. Participaram do estudo 35 mulheres saudáveis, sem histórico de quedas no ano da avaliação. A análise computadorizada tridimensional da marcha forneceu cinco medidas temporoespaciais de cada participante, dos membros inferiores direito (D) e esquerdo (E). A análise inferencial abordou dois grupos de mulheres: jovens (20 40 anos) e adultas-idosas (50-70 anos). Houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos para comprimento da passada D (p=0,003) e E (p=0,002); passo D (p=0,008) e E (p=0,001); tempo de apoio E (p=0,008); tempo de passo D (p=0,049); tempo de apoio duplo E (p=0,003); largura da base E (p=0,005); resposta à carga E (p=0,001); pré-balanço D (p=0,001) e E (p=0,001) e para algumas medidas em percentil do ciclo de marcha: apoio E (p=0,001); balanço E (p=0,001); apoio simples E (p=0,025); resposta à carga E (p=0,00); pré-balanço E (p=0,001) e pré-balanço D (p=0,014). A regressão linear indicou que a variação da idade modificou em média 18% as medidas de comprimento do passo e da passada e em 20% a velocidade da marcha. Com o avanço da idade, as medidas funcionais diminuíram; e, consequentemente, as medidas de estabilidade, como duração dos períodos de apoio, apoio duplo e pré-balanço, aumentaram. Essas modificações indicam risco de queda na faixa etária de 50 a 70 anos. Algumas medidas de marcha podem apresentar alteração em uma faixa etária ainda considerada de baixo risco.

Apolipoprotein E Genotype Linked to Spatial Gait Characteristics: Predictors of Cognitive Dual Task Gait Change

Background

Developing measures to detect preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease is vital, as prodromal stage interventions may prove more efficacious in altering the disease’s trajectory. Gait changes may serve as a useful clinical heuristic that precedes cognitive decline. This study provides the first systematic investigation of gait characteristics relationship with relevant demographic, physical, genetic (Apolipoprotein E genotype), and health risk factors in non-demented older adults during a cognitive-load dual task walking condition.

Methods

The GAITRite system provided objective measurement of gait characteristics in APOE-e4 “carriers” (n = 75) and “non-carriers” (n = 224). Analyses examined stride length and step time gait characteristics during simple and dual-task (spelling five-letter words backwards) conditions in relation to demographic, physical, genetic, and health risk factors.

Results

Slower step time and shorter stride length associated with older age, greater health risk, and worse physical performance (ps < .05). Men and women differed in height, gait characteristics, health risk factors and global cognition (ps < .05). APOE-e4 associated with a higher likelihood of hypercholesterolemia and overall illness index scores (ps < .05). No genotype-sex interactions on gait were found. APOE-e4 was linked to shorter stride length and greater dual-task related disturbances in stride length.

Conclusions

Stride length has been linked to heightened fall risk, attention decrements and structural brain changes in older adults. Our results indicate that stride length is a useful behavioral marker of cognitive change that is associated with genetic risk for AD. Sex disparities in motor decline may be a function of health risk factors.