Sensory and cognitive functions, gait ability and functionality of older adults.
Tirso Duran-Badillo, Bertha Cecilia Salazar-González, Juana Edith Cruz-Quevedo and 3 others
PMID 32491121WHAT IT FOUND
In older adults, slower gait, shorter steps and lower cadence were linked to more dependence in daily activities.
Some sensory tests were not. Use gait and function scores as markers, not proof that treating them prevents dependency.
Key findings
01The combined sensory, gait and cognitive variables explained 25% of dependency in basic activities of daily living and 21% of dependency in instrumental activities of daily living.
02Greater dependence on basic activities was observed with impaired vision without glasses and impaired foot sensitivity, while greater dependence on instrumental activities was observed with impaired palm sensitivity, impaired foot sensitivity and impaired hearing.
03Gait speed, cadence and step length were significant variables in both dependency models, and taste was significant in the basic activity model.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only older adults who could walk, listen and answer questions were included, so the findings do not apply to people who are immobile or cannot communicate. The sample was recruited by snowball sampling, not randomly, so it may not represent all older adults. Only 13 participants were 80 years or older, so age-group comparisons are limited. The smell and taste tests used were not reported to be reliable in the literature. The study measured people once and did not test whether improving sensory, gait or cognitive function reduces dependency.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the regression results as evidence that treating gait, taste or sensory problems will reduce dependency. The study measured ambulatory older adults once and did not test any intervention.