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. 2021 Jan-Mar;15(1):60-68.
doi: 10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-010006.

Changes in executive function and gait in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease

Natália Oiring de Castro Cezar  1 , Juliana Hotta Ansai  2 , Marcos Paulo Braz de Oliveira  1 , Danielle Chagas Pereira da Silva  1 , Francisco Assis Carvalho Vale  2 , Anielle Cristhine de Medeiros Takahashi  1 , Larissa Pires de Andrade  1
Affiliations

Changes in executive function and gait in people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease

Natália Oiring de Castro Cezar et al. Dement Neuropsychol. 2021 Jan-Mar.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Changes in executive function and motor aspects can compromise the prognosis of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and favor the evolution to dementia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in executive function and gait and to determine the association between changes in these variables.

Methods: A 32-month longitudinal study was conducted with 40 volunteers: 19 with preserved cognition (PrC), 15 with MCI and 6 with Alzheimer disease (AD). Executive function and gait speed were assessed using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Clock-Drawing test and the 10-meter walk test. For data analysis, the Pearson product-moment correlation, two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, and chi-square were conducted.

Results: After 32 months, an improvement in the executive function was found in all groups (p=0.003). At baseline, gait speed was slower in individuals with MCI and AD compared to those with PrC (p=0.044), that was maintained after the follow-up (p=0.001). There was significant increase in number of steps in all groups (p=0.001). No significant association was found between changes in gait speed and executive function.

Conclusions: It should be taken into account that gait deteriorates prior to executive function to plan interventions and health strategies for this population.

Alterações na função executiva e nos aspectos motores podem comprometer o prognóstico de idosos com comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) e favorecer a evolução para demência.

Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar alterações na função executiva e na marcha e determinar a associação entre alterações nessas variáveis.

Método: Foi realizado um estudo longitudinal de 32 meses com 40 voluntários: 19 com cognição preservada (PrC), 15 com CCL e 6 com doença de Alzheimer (DA). A função executiva e a velocidade da marcha foram avaliadas por meio de bateria de avaliação frontal, do teste de desenho do relógio e do teste de caminhada de 10 metros. Para a análise de dados, o coeficiente de correlação produto-momento de Pearson, ANOVA de medidas repetidas bidirecional e o qui-quadrado foram realizados.

Resultados: Após 32 meses, houve melhora na função executiva em todos os grupos (p=0,003). No início do estudo, a velocidade da marcha foi mais lenta nos indivíduos com CCL e DA em comparação com os PrC (p=0,044), que foi mantida após o acompanhamento (p=0,001). Houve aumento significativo no número de etapas em todos os grupos (p=0,001). Não foi encontrada associação significativa entre alterações na velocidade da marcha e função executiva.

Conclusões: Deve-se levar em consideração que a marcha se deteriora antes da função executiva para planejar intervenções e estratégias de saúde para essa população.

Keywords: aging; cognition; cognitive dysfunction; longitudinal studies; walking speed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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