Abstract
BackgroundIdentification of cognitive impairment is based traditionally on the neuropsychological tests and biomarkers that are not available widely. This study aimed to establish the association between motor function (gait speed and handgrip strength) and cognitive performance in the Mini-Mental State Examination, globally and by domains. A secondary goal was calculating a cut-off point for gait speed and handgrip strength to classify older adults as cognitively impaired.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of SABE Colombia (Salud, Bienestar & Envejecimiento), a survey that was conducted in 2015 on health, wellbeing, and aging in Colombia. This study used linear regression models to search for an association between motor function and cognitive performance. The accuracy of motor function measurements in identifying cognitive impairment was assessed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. This study also analyzed other clinical and sociodemographical variables.ResultsGait speed was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.16), language (r2 = 0.15), recall memory (r2 = 0.14), and counting (r2 = 0.08). Similarly, handgrip strength was associated with orientation (r2 = 0.175), language (r2 = 0.164), recall memory (r2 = 0.137), and counting (r2 = 0.08). To differentiate older adults with and without cognitive impairment, a gait speed cut-off point of 0.59 m/s had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.629 (0.613–0.646), and a weak handgrip (strength below 17.5 kg) had an AUC of 0.653 (0.645-0.661). The cut-off points for handgrip strength and gait speed were significantly higher in male participants.ConclusionsGait speed and handgrip strength are similarly associated with the cognitive performance, exhibiting the most extensive association with orientation and language domains of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gait speed and handgrip strength can easily be measured by any clinician, and they prove to be useful screening tools to detect cognitive impairment.
Highlights
Dementia has become a worldwide health priority that affects the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers [1]
Growing evidence suggests that dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), is a continuum with a long pre-clinical stage that may present with early motor symptoms [4,5,6]
This means motor function assessment can be a useful correlate with cognition and a promising predictor of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia [2]
Summary
Dementia has become a worldwide health priority that affects the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers [1]. In Colombia, identification of cognitive impairment has been traditionally based on neuropsychological tests, imaging, and molecular biomarkers that are not widely available. This poses a major challenge in the timely diagnosis of dementia. Identification of the association between cognitive and motor performance suggests that these functions share neural networks in the frontal-hippocampal cortex. Impairment of this neural network can manifest as a concurrent decline of the motor and cognitive functions [7]. Identification of cognitive impairment is based traditionally on the neuropsychological tests and biomarkers that are not available widely. A secondary goal was calculating a cut-off point for gait speed and handgrip strength to classify older adults as cognitively impaired
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
