Variability in Obstacle Clearance May (Not) Indicate Cognitive Disorders in Alzheimer Disease

Autor(es)

Barbieri, Fabio A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Simieli, Lucas ^[1] ; Orcioli-Silva, Diego ^[1] ; Vitorio, Rodrigo ^[1] ; Stella, Florindo ^{[1, 3]} ; Gobbi, Lilian T. Bucken ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, LEPLO, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista, UNESP, LIVIA, BR-17033360 Bauru, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ Campinas, UNICAMP, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders; v. 29, n. 4, p. 307-311, OCT-DEC 2015.
• Citações Web of Science: 2

Resumo

The aim of this study was to investigate obstacle clearance and its variability in individuals with Alzheimer dementia (AD) as well as healthy elderly individuals while they approached and crossed an obstacle in their path. Fifteen people with AD and 15 age-matched/sex-matched healthy individuals (control group) participated in this study. Clinical assessment of both groups was performed by a neuropsychiatrist. Spatial-temporal parameters of 5 trials of unobstructed walking and 5 trials of obstacle crossing during walking (approach and crossing phases) were measured using a 3-dimensional optoelectronic system. The results indicated that individuals with AD showed higher variability in the approach phase for stride length and the horizontal distance from their trailing limb foot to the obstacle. However, their gait variability in the crossing phase was similar to the control group. In addition, the individuals with AD were found to walk slowly and with a short stride length in both conditions. In conclusion, individuals with AD had increased gait variability while approaching an obstacle during walking, indicating a deficit in planning to avoid obstacles that could be related to cognitive disorders. However, gait variability during the crossing phase may not be indicative of cognitive disorders in AD. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/54275-5 - Influência da tarefa dupla no andar livre e adaptativo de pacientes com Demência de Alzheimer
• Beneficiário: Lucas Simieli
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica
• Processo FAPESP: 11/00414-4 - Efeito de um programa de atividade física sistematizado nos parâmetros espaço-temporais do andar de idosos com Demência de Alzheimer
• Beneficiário: Diego Orcioli da Silva
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica