Publication
Title
The impact of cognitive impairment on the physical ageing process
Author
Abstract
Background Physical decline and cognitive degeneration characterise the ageing process. Aim Physical parameters, performance and the functional indexes were studied in relation to age in healthy and cognitively impaired older persons to understand the interactions and changes during normal ageing, cognitive decline and progression to frailty. Methods Cross-sectional analysis was performed on a data registry of an ambulatory Memory Diagnosis Centre. The quantitative gait characteristics at usual pace, body composition parameters, disability scales (activity of daily living and instrumental activity of daily living) and Rockwood frailty index were compared in cognitively healthy (CHI), mild cognitively impaired, mildly and moderately demented < 80-years old and > 80-years old adults. Results Quality of gait deteriorated with age in CHI and cognitively impaired. Skeletal muscle mass index decreased when cognitive status worsened. Disability and frailty correlated with increasing cognitive impairment. Age, gender, cognitive impairment, body composition and Rockwoods Frailty scale had a combined forecasting effect, as well as the individual effect on the gait characteristics. Disability score, Frailty index, skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index, gait speed, normalised mean step length and swing time variability in mildly demented < 80-years old adults mirrored the parameters in the CHI > 80-years old. Conclusion Quantitative gait characteristics, muscle mass and disabilities change along with cognitive impairment, frailty and age. A more rapid physical ageing process accompanies cognitive decline. Therefore, gait characteristics should be age-referenced and studies on gait in older persons should include muscle mass, frailty and cognitive parameters.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Aging clinical and experimental research. - Milano, 2002, currens
Publication
Milano : Editrice Kurtis , 2018
ISSN
1720-8319 [online]
1594-0667 [print]
DOI
10.1007/S40520-018-1016-8
Volume/pages
30 :11 (2018) , p. 1297-1306
ISI
000448941000004
Pubmed ID
30078097
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.10.2018
Last edited 04.03.2024
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