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Review
. 2019 Jun 2:2019:3923574.
doi: 10.1155/2019/3923574. eCollection 2019.

Examining the Association between Life-Space Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Nileththi A De Silva  1 , Michael A Gregory  2 , Shree S Venkateshan  3 , Chris P Verschoor  4 , Ayse Kuspinar  2
Affiliations
Review

Examining the Association between Life-Space Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Nileththi A De Silva et al. J Aging Res. .

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to investigate the relationship between life-space mobility and cognition in older adults.

Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched through December 2018 for studies containing measures of life-space mobility and cognitive function. Two independent reviewers screened studies. Eligible studies were combined using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2.

Results: Thirty-five articles were identified for review. A moderate and statistically significant association (pooled r = 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.40.) was observed between life-space mobility and cognition among nine studies. Life-space mobility demonstrated small-to-moderate associations with domain-specific cognitive functioning, particularly executive function, learning, memory, and processing speed. Furthermore, individuals who had restricted life-space mobility (Life-Space Assessment ≤ 40) experienced a steeper decline in cognition (β = 0.56 and p = 0.0471) compared to those who did not (Life-Space Assessment ≥ 41).

Conclusion: This review examined the association between life-space mobility and cognitive function in older adults. The results suggest that a moderate relationship between life-space mobility and cognition exists, whether adjusted or unadjusted for covariates such as sociodemographics, mental health, functional capacity, and comorbidities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram to illustrate study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot with correlation coefficient values (r) for the association between life-space mobility and cognition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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