A new study has shown that changes in walking speed in the elderly could indicate whether they are at risk of developing dementia, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), later in life.
The study involved monitoring the walking speed over a three-year period of 93 people aged 70 or older who lived alone. The researchers used a new technique which involved placing infrared sensors in the ceilings of homes to capture walking movements in hallways.
Of the participants, 54 had no cognitive impairment, 31 had mild non-memory related MCI and 8 had memory-related MCI. Based on the average weekly walking speed and how much their walking speed fluctuated at home, they were assigned to slow, moderate or fast groups.
The study found that changes in walking speed was associated with dementia, and people with non-memory related MCI were nine times more likely to be slow walkers than moderate or fast walkers.
The researchers from the Oregon Health and Science University published their findings earlier this week in Neurology - the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Study author Hiroko Dodge said, "Further studies need to be done using larger groups of participants to determine whether walking speed and its fluctuations could be a predictor of future memory and thinking problems in the elderly." The research is important as it could help detect dementia in the early stages and also help in preventing the disease from developing. "Our in-home monitoring approach has a lot of potential to be used for sustaining independence of the elderly," Dodge added.
A number of disorders affecting the brain can cause dementia. People with the disease have impaired intellectual functioning, may experience personality changes and behavioral problems including agitation, delusions and hallucinations.
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