Article

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a
relationship between gait and a rating of cognitive functioning in persons
undergoing home-care physical therapy services. Patients over the age of 65 (n =
11,601) seen by a home-care agency between 2007 and 2008 were included in the
retrospective analysis, and 10,953 (mean +/- standard deviation age 83.2 +/- 7.1;
31%) met the criteria of being able to ambulate independently or with an
assistive device. All patients attempted to perform the modified Clinical Test of
Sensory Integration and Balance plus either the Performance Oriented Measurement
Assessment (POMA) or the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI). Mental function was scored as
part of the Outcome and Assessment Information Set. A multivariate model with
adjustment for age and sex identified gait performance as measured by the DGI to
be independently associated with the likelihood that a patient required cognitive
prompting (p = 0.03). Both the DGI and POMA scores were independently associated
with requiring assistance/dependence with cognitive tasks. There was a strong
relationship between cognition and gait performance in persons undergoing
physical therapy interventions in the home. Changes in gait may be related to
cognitive decline.

Langue : ANGLAIS