Associations Between Cognitive Function and Muscle Quality Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate whether muscle quality is related to cognitive function in older adults living in the community. Methods The participants were 40 community-dwelling older adults without a diagnosis of dementia (mean age, 78.85 ± 6.40 years; 31 women). The dependent variable was the score on the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) index of the Japanese version of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination Five (range: 0–6; higher scores indicate MCI or possible dementia). Results Multiple regression with Bayesian statistics was performed for analysis of muscle quality, as indicated by echo intensity (EI), with skeletal muscle mass index, gait speed, physical activity level, age, and sex as covariates. EI was significantly associated with the MCI index (expected a posterior = 0.04 [95% Bayesian confidence interval: 0.01, 0.07], t = 2.47, β = 0.41, p = 0.019). Conclusions The results suggest that EI may be related to the cognitive function of older adults living in the community. Future studies should examine whether focusing on EI can help prevent cognitive decline among older adults..