Gait Speed Is Associated with Cognitive Function in Community Dwelling Elderly

Background: There is some evidence that gait abnormality precedes the diagnosis of dementia but it is not clarified that gait speed is associated with cognitive function in healthy elderly. Methods: A total of 126 community dwelling healthy old people were recruited in this study. We measured blood pressure, weight and height, as well as drug history and behavioral habits. Beck Depression Inventory and Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (KMMSE) were used for the assessment of depression and cognitive function. Usual gait speed (m/s) over 6 m was measured. Results: There was no difference in gait speed between normal (KMMSE score＞24) and cognitive impaired group (KMMSE score≤24), divided by MMSE score. However, in Pearson correlation analysis, gait speed was positively associated with KMMSE score (r=0.204, P=0.022). After adjustment of confounders, gait speed contributed independently to KMMSE score by multiple linear regression analysis (β=0.207, P=0.021). Conclusion: Gait speed was independently associated with cognitive function. That is, slow gait speed could predict cognitive dysfunction.ope