Switching Ability Mediates the Age-Related Difference in Timed Up and Go Performance

Issue title: Gait Disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

Guest editors: Manuel Montero-Odasso and George Perry

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Langeard, Antoine^{a; b; c; *} | Houdeib, Ramzi^{c; d} | Saillant, Kathia^{a; b; c} | Kaushal, Navin^{a; b; c} | Lussier, Maxime^{c; e} | Bherer, Louis^{a; b; c}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | [b] Research Centre, Montreal Heart Institute, Montréal, Quebec, Canada | [c] Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada | [d] Concordia University, Department of Psychology, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | [e] School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Antoine Langeard, PhD, Centre de Recherche, Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, 5000 Belanger, S-2581, Montréal, QC H1T 1C8, Canada. Tel.: +1 514 374 1480; E-mail: langeard.antoine@hotmail.fr.

Abstract: Age-related mobility and cognitive declines are closely linked, but their relationship is complex and needs to be further investigated. The study aimed to test if cognition (processing speed, inhibition and switching performances) mediates the age-related difference in mobility. Mediation analyses were used to test whether processing speed, inhibition and switching performances on the Stroop test independently mediate the relationship between age and performances at the Timed Up and Go (TUG). Results revealed that only switching performances mediated the age-related difference in TUG (65.1% of the total effect) supporting the notion that executive control plays a critical role in older adults’ mobility.

Keywords: Aging, cognition, gait, inhibition, locomotion, mediation

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-181176

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 71, no. s1, pp. S23-S28, 2019