P4: Functional relationship between muscle strength, gait speed, and cognitive function in elderly people with cognitive impairment: a descriptive cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive function has traditionally been associated with mental abilities, but there are reports that it may be associated with performance in physical function and even in ADLs. This relationship between the mental and the physical raises important questions about comprehensive health across the life course.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out with correlation analysis between the main variables under study. The purpose of the research was to establish the functional relationship between muscle strength, gait speed, and cognitive functions in elderly people with or without cognitive impairments at 55 years of age. Cognitive function (MOCA), ABVD (Barthel index), IADL (Lawton and Brody questionnaire), and anthropometric and physical function variables were studied. A descriptive and inferential analysis of the data obtained was performed together with a correlation analysis to establish the functional relationship between the groups of variables. Ethical safeguards were taken in all cases, and informed consent approved by the Ethics Committee of the Catholic University of Temuco, Chile, was applied.

Results: The primary findings of this study show that, in older individuals with or without cognitive impairment, muscle strength, gait speed, and cognitive function have a functional relationship. There is also a strong correlation between these variables’ performance in the physical domain. In addition, sex-associated differences were detected that are relevant to study and investigate in further studies. The effect of aging was differentiated in the case of women (younger than 75 years and older than 75 years) without detecting significant differences, but there was a tendency to increase deterioration with increasing cognitive and physicalage.

Conclusions: Cognitive function is related to physical performance variables, and these may be predictors of aging as attenuators or aggravators. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to consider the interrelationship of these variables when addressing the health and well-being of this population. It is necessary to investigate aspects that generate preventive actions aimed at healthy and active aging, especially in the performance of cognitive function related to activities of daily living (basic and instrumental).