A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies examining the relationship between mobility and cognition in healthy older adults.

The included studies were cross-sectional, so they cannot show whether mobility affects cognition, cognition affects mobility, or both are affected by another factor. Several gait meta-analyses showed publication bias, and the adjusted estimates were smaller. The lower-extremity function and executive function association came from three studies, and balance analyses came from few studies. Global cognition was often measured with the MMSE or 3MS, which are screening tools prone to ceiling effects and weighted toward language and memory. Studies varied in age, sex and assessment methods, and there were too few studies to test whether sex or age changed the association. Only English-language published studies were included, and gait speed was prioritised over other gait parameters. Mobility tests were often done in controlled settings, which may not match how people move in the community.

The paper states that the authors declare no competing financial interests.

Do not conclude that improving mobility will improve cognition. The included studies were cross-sectional, so they show associations at one time point and cannot determine whether mobility affects cognition, cognition affects mobility, or both are affected by another factor.