Brain fitness programs may help frail elderly walk faster

September, 2010
  • Walking speed and balance may be improved in seniors through a brain training program. Research has indicated that a common pathology underlies cognitive impairment and gait and balance problems.

On the subject of the benefits of walking for seniors, it’s intriguing to note a recent pilot study that found frail seniors who walked slowly (no faster than one meter per second) benefited from a brain fitness program known as Mindfit. After eight weeks of sessions three times weekly (each session 45-60 minutes), all ten participants walked a little faster, and significantly faster while talking. Walking while talking requires considerably more concentration than normal walking. The success of this short intervention (which needs to be replicated in a larger study) offers the hope that frail elderly who may be unable to participate in physical exercise, could improve their mobility through brain fitness programs. Poor gait speed is also correlated with a higher probability of falls.

The connection between gait speed and cognitive function is an interesting one. Previous research has indicated that slow gait should alert doctors to check for cognitive impairment. One study found severe white matter lesions were more likely in those with gait and balance problems. Most recently, a longitudinal study involving over 900 older adults has found poorer global cognitive function, verbal memory, and executive function, were all predictive of greater decline in gait speed.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/aeco-bfp081010.php

Reference: 

[1795] Verghese, J., Mahoney J., Ambrose A. F., Wang C., & Holtzer R.
(2010).  Effect of Cognitive Remediation on Gait in Sedentary Seniors.
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.

[1004] Langhorne, P., O'Brien J., Scheltens P., Visser M. C., Wahlund L. O., Waldemar G., et al.
(2008).  Association of gait and balance disorders with age-related white matter changes: The LADIS Study.
Neurology. 70(12), 935 - 942.

[1812] Holtzer, R., Verghese J., Xue X., & Lipton R. B.
(2006).  Cognitive Processes Related to Gait Velocity: Results From the Einstein Aging Study..
Neuropsychology. 20(2), 215 - 223.

[1797] Watson, N. L., Rosano C., Boudreau R. M., Simonsick E. M., Ferrucci L., Sutton-Tyrrell K., et al.
(2010).  Executive Function, Memory, and Gait Speed Decline in Well-Functioning Older Adults.
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences.

Related News

Omega-3 oil linked to lower level of Alzheimer's protein

A new study, involving 1,219 dementia-free older adults (65+), has found that the more omega-3 fatty acids the person consumed, the lower the level of beta-amyloid in the blood (a proxy for brain levels).
Purpose in life protects against Alzheimer's disease

Here’s a different aspect to

Computer use and exercise combo reduce odds of MCI

More findings from the long-running Mayo Clinic Study of Aging reveal that using a computer plus taking moderate exercise reduces your risk of mild cognitive impairment significantly more than you would expect from simply adding together these two beneficial activities.
Working with solvents linked to cognitive problems in less-educated people

The study involved 4,134 people (average age 59) who worked at the French national gas and electric company, of whom most worked at the company for their entire career.
How exercise affects the brain, and who it benefits

I’ve mentioned before that, for some few people, exercise doesn’t seem to have a benefit, and the benefits of exercise for fighting age-related cognitive decline may not apply to those carrying the Alzheimer’s gene.
Type of fat, not amount of fat, linked to cognitive decline in old age

Data from the Women's Health Study, involving 6,183 older women (65+), has found that it isn’t the amount of fat but the type of fat that is associated with cognitive decline.
Reducing excess brain activity improves memory in aMCI

Interpreting brain activity is a very tricky business. Even the most basic difference can be interpreted in two ways — i.e., what does it mean if a region is more active in one group of people compared to another?
Eye health related to brain health in older adults

Damage to the retina (retinopathy) doesn’t produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages, but a new study indicates it may be a symptom of more widespread damage. In the ten-year study, involving 511 older women (average age 69), 7.6% (39) were found to have retinopathy.
Poor sleep in old age increases risk of cognitive impairment

Older adults who sleep poorly react to stress with increased inflammation
How cognitive reserve helps protect seniors from cognitive decline

Data from the very large and long-running Cognitive Function and Ageing Study, a U.K. study involving 13,004 older adults (65+), from which 329 brains are now available for analysis, has found that cognitive lifestyle score (CLS) had no effect on Alzheimer’s pathology.

Pages

more
Subscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest newsSubscribe to Latest health newsSubscribe to Latest news