Dual-task gait costs to identify cognitive statuses in older adults

• Grant number: 24/07236-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Renato de Moraes
• Grantee: Laís Mello Serafim
• Supervisor: Manuel Maria Montero-Odasso
• Host Institution: Escola de Educação Física e Esporte de Ribeirão Preto (EEFERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Western University , Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/09211-6 - Effects of progressive asymmetrical load carrying on locomotion control in older adults with a history of falls., BP.MS

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional state between normal cognition and dementia and a risk factor for falls in older adults. The diagnosis requires specialized and multidisciplinary knowledge that uses extensive neuropsychological batteries and clinical assessments. These assessment procedures are very time-consuming and expensive. In the literature it is not clear whether gait performance under dual-task conditions has clinical validity to accurately identify cognitive impairment subtypes in older adults. The proposed research project aims to investigate whether the dual-task gait cost using different types of cognitive demand (e.g., counting backwards, subtracting seven from the initial number and naming animals) can be a predictor for classifying individuals with MCI, dementia and their subtypes. This research proposal will use the dual-task gait cost related to different walking parameters (e.g., speed, temporal variability and spatial variability) as predictor variables and cognitive status as the dependent variable in the analysis. Cross-sectional analysis using participants from the Gait & Brain Study. Binomial regression models will be applied to identify relationships between gait parameters and MCI and Dementia status subtypes. If significant associations are found, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis will be conducted to determine clinically meaningful cut-offs. The analysis will be adjusted by age, sex, global cognition and years of education.