Global cognitive function and processing speed are associated with gait and balance dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Gian Pal, Joan O'Keefe, Erin Robertson-Dick and 3 others
PMID 27793167WHAT IT FOUND
In 14 people with Parkinson's, lower global cognitive scores correlated with slower walking and more sway.
Processing speed specifically linked to turning difficulty. No control group and tiny sample mean these associations are hypotheses, not evidence of cause.
Key findings
01Global cognitive function (MDRS) correlated strongly with stride velocity, turn duration, and number of steps to turn.
02Processing speed was the only specific cognitive domain significantly associated with gait turning measures after correction.
03No significant correlation was found between global cognitive scores and the clinical PIGD score.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (n=14) limits generalizability and statistical power. No healthy control group, so it is unclear if these relationships are specific to Parkinson's or also present in normal aging. Only one neuropsychological test was used per cognitive domain. Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cognitive deficits cause gait issues or vice versa. Participants were in the ON medication state, so results may not apply to the OFF state.
Declared interests
The paper states it is a pilot project using commercially available APDM Mobility Lab. No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest are declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that improving processing speed will improve gait. This study shows a correlation in a very small group, not a causal link. The lack of a control group means we do not know if these relationships are unique to Parkinson's disease.