Global cognitive functioning and physical mobility in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment: evidence and implications

Introduction: Co-occurrence of physical and cognitive dysfunctions contribute to functional decline and a gradual loss of independence.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between global cognitive impairment and physical mobility in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Material and methods: A total of 800 older adults were recruited (653 with normal cognitive functioning and 147 participants with MCI). Motor performance was measured with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Cognitive functions were evaluated using Mini- Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE-III).

Results: ACE-III scores were associated with the TUG test performance in older adults (with and without MCI), but not with 6MWT results. The overall score in ACE-III and its subscales, i.e. a) memory and fluency in the MCI group and in the total group, and b) fluency in the control group, were associated with TUG after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, medication use, depressive symptoms, hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes. In the case of the 6MWT test results, only the ACE-III fluency subscale scores and not the overall ACE-III score were associated with them.

Conclusions: Global cognitive function, verbal fluency and memory were independently associated with the TUG. ACE-III, being a more extensive testing tool than MMSE, made it possible to show the relationship between global cognition and motor skills.