Accuracy of mobility tests for screening the risk of falls in patients with mild cognitive impairment and alzheimer’s disease

ABSTRACT Identifying gait and balance disorders in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) could reduce or prevent falls in older adults. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine which mobility tests best discriminate the risk of falls in MCI and mild AD. Functional mobility was assessed by the timed up and go test (TUG) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). A calendar of falls was produced, with follow-up via telephone calls during 6 months. For the MCI Group (n=38), time spent on the 10MWT was the best variable for discriminating fallers, with a cut-off point of 10.69 seconds associated with the highest accuracy (76.3%). In the AD Group (n=37), 10MWT cadence was the best variable for discriminating fallers, with a cut-off point of 101.39 steps per minute associated with an accuracy of 81.1%. As a conclusion, 10MWT time and cadence were the most accurate variables for screening the risk of falls in MCI and mild AD, respectively. The 10MWT is a functional, simple and easy test and it should be widely used in clinical practice.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Ansai,Juliana Hotta, Vassimon-Barroso,Verena, Farche,Ana Claudia Silva, Buto,Marcele Stephanie de Souza, Andrade,Larissa Pires de, Rebelatto,José Rubens
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Universidade de São Paulo 2019
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1809-29502019000300258
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!