Influence of frailty and cognitive decline on dual task performance in older adults: an analytical cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the influence of frailty and cognitive decline on dual-task performance in older adults.

METHODS

cross-sectional study carried out with older adults at a geriatrics outpatient clinic, in São Paulo. Sociodemographic data, cognitive performance, frailty phenotype, gait speed and dual-task assessments were used. The analysis was descriptive, combined with a multiple linear regression model.

RESULTS

219 older adults participated, with a mean age of 72.55 years, aged between 60 and 79 years (82.65%) and predominantly female (70.32%). Among them, 86 (39.27%) were frail and 123 (57.48%) presented cognitive decline. The mean time for simple walking was 15.95 (7.02) seconds; for the motor dual-task, 17.64 (8.44) seconds; and for the cognitive dual-task, 23.88 (11.87) seconds. Women without a partner, living with family, and with low education (0-4 years) required more time to perform both the cognitive and motor dual-tasks compared to the time for simple walking. Frail older adults exhibited impared gait performance, both in simple and dual motor/cognitive tasks.

CONCLUSION

frail older adults experienced a significant decline in performance in simple gait and in dual motor/cognitive tasks, with no difference in performance between those with and without cognitive decline. Multidisciplinary interventions should focus on promoting the health of older adults.

BACKGROUND

(1) Frailty and sarcopenia are important syndromes that need to be assessed in older adults. (2) Older adults with T2DM have a higher vulnerability to developing frailty. (3) Nurses should implement preventive measures to address frailty and sarcopenia.