Fastame Maria Chiara, Mulas Ilaria, Putzu Valeria, Asoni Gesuina, Viale Daniela, Mameli Irene, Pau Massimiliano
Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123 Cagliari, Italy.
Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy.
Behav Sci (Basel). 2022 Jun 28;12(7):214. doi: 10.3390/bs12070214.
A current research trend is the examination of the interplay between cognitive functioning, higher-order processes, and motor efficiency in late adulthood. However, the association between motor and cognitive functions when cognitive decline occurs has not been extensively explored. This study investigated whether gait features, functional mobility, and handgrip strength were associated with executive functions in older people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia.
127 older participants (M = 77.9 years, SD = 5.8 years) who had received a diagnosis of MCI and dementia voluntarily took part in the study. A battery of tests assessing global cognitive function, executive functions, muscular strength, functional mobility, and spatio-temporal parameters of gait was completed by the participants.
Statistically significant correlations were obtained between global cognitive function, executive functions, and motor efficiency measures. Moreover, a series of regression analyses showed that 8-13% of the variance of several motor parameters was predicted by several executive functions. Additionally, walking, functional mobility, and global cognitive function predicted 53-71% of the variance relative to the occurrence of dementia. In conclusion, motor functioning is closely related to cognitive functioning in late adulthood.
The assessment of muscular strength and functional mobility should be promoted in clinical settings.
当前的研究趋势是考察成年晚期认知功能、高阶过程和运动效率之间的相互作用。然而，认知衰退发生时运动与认知功能之间的关联尚未得到广泛探讨。本研究调查了步态特征、功能活动能力和握力是否与轻度认知障碍（MCI）或痴呆老年人的执行功能相关。
127名自愿参与研究的老年参与者（年龄均值M = 77.9岁，标准差SD = 5.8岁），他们已被诊断为MCI或痴呆。参与者完成了一系列评估整体认知功能、执行功能、肌肉力量、功能活动能力以及步态时空参数的测试。
在整体认知功能、执行功能和运动效率指标之间获得了具有统计学意义的相关性。此外，一系列回归分析表明，几种执行功能可预测几个运动参数8% - 13%的方差。另外，步行、功能活动能力和整体认知功能可预测相对于痴呆发生情况53% - 71%的方差。总之，成年晚期的运动功能与认知功能密切相关。
临床环境中应加强对肌肉力量和功能活动能力的评估。
