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The Association between Gait Speed and Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Author

Listed:
  • Claire E. Adam

    (School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA)

  • Annette L. Fitzpatrick

    (Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Box #356390, Seattle, WA 98195-6390, USA
    Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351619, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
    Department of Global Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351620, Seattle, WA 98195-7965, USA)

  • Cindy S. Leary

    (School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA)

  • Anjum Hajat

    (Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351619, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Elizabeth A. Phelan

    (Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359755, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA)

  • Christina Park

    (Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351619, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Erin O. Semmens

    (School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA)

Abstract

(1) Background: Falls are common in older adults and result in injuries, loss of independence, and death. Slow gait is associated with falls in older adults, but few studies have assessed the association between gait speed and falls among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (2) Methods: The association between gait speed and falls was assessed in 2705 older adults with and without MCI participating in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study. Gait speed was measured via a 15-foot walk test and fall history through self-report. We used data collected at the 12-month (2001–2003) and 18-month visits (2002–2004). (3) Results: Participant average age was 78.5 years (sd = 3.2); 45% were female, and 14% had MCI at baseline. The average gait speed was 0.93 m/s (sd = 0.20). Sixteen percent ( n = 433) and 18% ( n = 498) reported at least one fall at the 12-month and 18-month visits, respectively. Faster gait speed was associated with decreased risk of falling (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.99) for every 10 cm/s increase in gait speed adjusted for age, gender, study arm, site, and MCI status. (4) Conclusions: The relationship between gait speed and risk of falling did not vary by MCI status (interaction p-value = 0.78).

Suggested Citation

  • Claire E. Adam & Annette L. Fitzpatrick & Cindy S. Leary & Anjum Hajat & Elizabeth A. Phelan & Christina Park & Erin O. Semmens, 2021. "The Association between Gait Speed and Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3712-:d:529027
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    Cited by:

    1. Victoire Leroy & Valérie Martinet & Oumashankar Nunkessore & Christel Dentel & Hélène Durand & David Mockler & François Puisieux & Bertrand Fougère & Yaohua Chen, 2023. "The Nebulous Association between Cognitive Impairment and Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, February.

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