Article

Gait speed is recognized as an important predictor of adverse
outcomes in older people. However, it is unknown whether other more complex
mobility tasks are better predictors of such outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To examine a
range of clinic-based mobility tests and determine which were most strongly
associated with measures of community performance and risk (CP&R). DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Central Control Mobility and Aging Study,
Westchester County, New York. PARTICIPANTS: Aged >/=65 years (n = 424). METHODS:
Clinic-based mobility measures included gait speed measured during normal and
dual-task conditions, the Floor Maze Immediate and Delay tasks, and stair
ascending and descending. CP&R measures were self-reported by the use of
standardized questionnaires and classified into measures of performance (distance
walked, travel outside one's home [life space], activities of daily living, and
participation in cognitive leisure activities) or risk (balance confidence, fear
of falling, and past falls). Linear and logistic regression were used to examine
associations between the clinic-based mobility measures and CP&R measures
adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 77.8 (SD 6.4)
years, and 55.2% (n = 234) were female. In final models, faster normal walking
speed was most strongly associated with 5 of the 7 community measures (greater
distance walked, greater life space, better activities of daily living function,
higher balance confidence, and less fear of falling; all P < .05). More complex
tasks (walking while talking and maze immediate) were associated with cognitive
leisure activity (P < .05), and ascending stairs was the only measure associated
with a history of falls (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Normal walking speed is a simple
and inexpensive clinic-based mobility test that is associated with a wide range
of CP&R measures. In addition, poorer performance ascending stairs may assist in
identifying those at risk of falls. Poorer performance in more complex mobility
tasks (walking while talking and maze immediate) may suggest inability to
participate in cognitive leisure activities.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.
CI - Copyright (c) 2018 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS