Smaller cingulate grey matter mediates the association between dual-task gait and incident dementia.

Individuals with mild cognitive impairment that have high dual-task gait cost (≥20% slowing in gait speed while performing a cognitive brain demanding task), are three-fold more likely to progress to dementia. However, the cortical regions that may explain this association are unknown, which may identify potentially treatable areas. The aim of the current study is to investigate whether brain grey matter volume loss and motor cortex metabolite levels explain the association between dual-task cost and incident dementia in individuals with mild cognitive impairment. We included participants with mild cognitive impairment from the Gait&Brain Study Cohort, who had a baseline MRI and were followed-up for 9 years with cognitive and gait assessments every 6 months. Gait performance was investigated under four conditions: usual gait, counting backwards by ones, naming animals and subtracting serial sevens. Dual-task cost was calculated as the percentage change in gait speed under dual-task conditions relative to usual gait speed. Data were collected from July 2007 to June 2023. From the 139 individuals with mild cognitive impairment included at baseline (mean [SD] age, 73[6] years, 62 (44%) women), and 33 (24%) progressed to dementia. Baseline high dual-task cost (≥20%) under counting backwards by ones and naming animals conditions were associated with smaller grey matter volume in several brain structures. A higher ratio of choline to creatine in the primary motor cortex was associated with higher serial sevens DTC. High dual-task cost while counting backwards by ones and naming animals was associated with a three-fold risk of incident dementia (P=0.02). Mediation analyses revealed that grey matter volume clusters localized in the right anterior and middle cingulate cortices mediated the association between counting backwards by ones dual-task cost and incident dementia (effect: 48%, P=0.045) with no mediation observed in grey matter loss in other brain regions or through motor cortex metabolite levels. Smaller grey matter volume of the right anterior and middle cingulate cortices explained the association between high dual-task cost and incident dementia in mild cognitive impairment. This result sheds light on the neural mechanisms of cognitive-motor interaction linked with cognitive decline and dementia in mild cognitive impairment and support the use of gait under dual-tasking as a motor biomarker of dementia.

Resident-, family-, and staff-identified goals for rehabilitation of long-term care residents with dementia: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term care (LTC) residents with dementia can benefit from rehabilitation to improve function and quality of life. However, specific goals for rehabilitation with this population are not always clear. The purpose of this study was to describe the goals for rehabilitation for LTC residents with dementia from the perspective of residents, family, and staff. METHODS: This was a phenomenological qualitative study. LTC residents with moderate to severe dementia, family members, and staff were recruited from two LTC homes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes from observations with residents while they were being active within the home. Data were analyzed via the principles of thematic content analysis, mapped onto the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) Model, and reported by the participant group (i.e., residents, family, or staff). RESULTS: The 15 participants were three female residents aged 82 to 98 years, seven predominantly (86%) female family members aged 56 to 74 years, and five staff members (two females, three males, aged 22 to 55 years) who were physiotherapists, a physiotherapy assistant, a healthcare aide, and a registered licenced practical nurse. Most identified goals fell within the activities and participation constructs of the ICF model and focused on maintaining or improving function, mobility, and quality of life. Specific themes included preventing falls, walking or locomoting, stair climbing, maintaining activities of daily living, engaging in enjoyable exercise, maintaining independence and human connections, keeping busy, leaving the home for activities, and participating in group activities. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation goals for LTC residents living with dementia often focus on quality of life and functional activities and participation in LTC and family activities and events. Function and quality of life are interrelated, whereby functional goals influence quality of life. While some goals focus on improvement in function, maintenance or prevention of decline were also key elements. Future work should ensure rehabilitation interventions are developed relative to individually identified goals, and interventional success is measured in relation to the goal.

Placental endocrine insufficiency programs anxiety, deficits in cognition and atypical social behaviour in offspring.

Abnormally elevated expression of the imprinted PHLDA2 gene has been reported in the placenta of human babies that are growth restricted in utero in several studies. We previously modelled this gene alteration in mice and found that just 2-fold increased expression of Phlda2 resulted in placental endocrine insufficiency. In addition, elevated Phlda2 was found to drive fetal growth restriction (FGR) of transgenic offspring and impaired maternal care by their wildtype mothers. Being born small and being exposed to suboptimal maternal care have both been associated with the increased risk of mental health disorders in human populations. In the current study we probed behavioural consequences of elevated Phlda2 for the offspring. We discovered increased anxiety-like behaviours, deficits in cognition and atypical social behaviours, with the greatest impact on male offspring. Subsequent analysis revealed alterations in the transcriptome of the adult offspring hippocampus, hypothalamus and amygdala, regions consistent with these behavioural observations. The inclusion of a group of fully wildtype controls raised in a normal maternal environment allowed us to attribute behavioural and molecular alterations to the adverse maternal environment induced by placental endocrine insufficiency rather than the specific gene change of elevated Phlda2. Our work demonstrates that a highly common alteration reported in human FGR is associated with negative behavioural outcomes later in life. Importantly, we also establish the experimental paradigm that placental endocrine insufficiency can program atypical behaviour in offspring highlighting the under-appreciated role of placental endocrine insufficiency in driving disorders of later life behaviour.

The Effect of Advanced Age on Prosthetic Rehabilitation Functional Outcomes in People With Lower Limb Amputations: A Retrospective Chart Audit of Inpatient Admissions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of age on functional outcomes at discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals ≥50 years with a transtibial level lower limb amputation (LLA) and above admitted to the inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation program from 2012 to 2019 (n=504). A secondary analysis included a subset of matched participants (n=156). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The L-Test of Functional Mobility (L-Test), 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale. RESULTS: A total of 504 participants (66.7±10.1 years) met the inclusion criteria, 63 participants (84.9±3.7 years) were part of the oldest old group. The sample was stratified into 4 age groups (50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80+) for data analysis. The analysis of variances were statistically significant for all outcome measures (P<.001). Post-hoc testing for the L-Test, 2MWT, and 6MWT demonstrated that the oldest old had significantly reduced performance compared with people 50-59 years old (P<.05), but there were no significant differences between the oldest old and the 60-69 [(L-Test, P=.802), (2MWT, P=.570), (6MWT, P=.772)] and 70-79 [(L-Test, P=.148), (2MWT, P=.338), (6MWT, P=.300)] age groups. The oldest old reported significantly lower balance confidence compared with all 3 age groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The oldest old achieved similar functional mobility outcomes as people 60-79 years, the most common age group of people with an LLA. Advanced age alone should not disqualify individuals from prosthetic rehabilitation.

Perceptual Disorders After Stroke: A Scoping Review of Interventions.

Perceptual disorders relating to hearing, smell, somatosensation, taste, touch, and vision commonly impair stroke survivors' ability to interpret sensory information, impacting on their ability to interact with the world. We aimed to identify and summarize the existing evidence for perceptual disorder interventions poststroke and identify evidence gaps. We searched 13 electronic databases including MEDLINE and Embase and Grey literature and performed citation tracking. Two authors independently applied a priori-defined selection criteria; studies involving stroke survivors with perceptual impairments and interventions addressing those impairments were included. We extracted data on study design, population, perceptual disorders, interventions, and outcomes. Data were tabulated and synthesized narratively. Stroke survivors, carers, and clinicians were involved in agreeing definitions and organizing and interpreting data. From 91 869 records, 80 studies were identified (888 adults and 5 children); participant numbers were small (median, 3.5; range, 1-80), with a broad range of stroke types and time points. Primarily focused on vision (34/80, 42.5%) and somatosensation (28/80; 35.0%), included studies were often case reports (36/80; 45.0%) or randomized controlled trials (22/80; 27.5%). Rehabilitation approaches (78/93; 83.9%), primarily aimed to restore function, and were delivered by clinicians (30/78; 38.5%) or technology (28/78; 35.9%; including robotic interventions for somatosensory disorders). Pharmacological (6/93; 6.5%) and noninvasive brain stimulation (7/93; 7.5%) approaches were also evident. Intervention delivery was poorly reported, but most were delivered in hospital settings (56/93; 60.2%). Study outcomes failed to assess the transfer of training to daily life. Interventions for stroke-related perceptual disorders are underresearched, particularly for pediatric populations. Evidence gaps include interventions for disorders of hearing, taste, touch, and smell perception. Future studies must involve key stakeholders and report this fully. Optimization of intervention design, evaluation, and reporting is required, to support the development of effective, acceptable, and implementable interventions. Registration: URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/; Unique identifier: CRD42019160270.

World guidelines for falls prevention and management for older adults: a global initiative.

BACKGROUND: falls and fall-related injuries are common in older adults, have negative effects on functional independence and quality of life and are associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health related costs. Current guidelines are inconsistent, with no up-to-date, globally applicable ones present. OBJECTIVES: to create a set of evidence- and expert consensus-based falls prevention and management recommendations applicable to older adults for use by healthcare and other professionals that consider: (i) a person-centred approach that includes the perspectives of older adults with lived experience, caregivers and other stakeholders; (ii) gaps in previous guidelines; (iii) recent developments in e-health and (iv) implementation across locations with limited access to resources such as low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: a steering committee and a worldwide multidisciplinary group of experts and stakeholders, including older adults, were assembled. Geriatrics and gerontological societies were represented. Using a modified Delphi process, recommendations from 11 topic-specific working groups (WGs), 10 ad-hoc WGs and a WG dealing with the perspectives of older adults were reviewed and refined. The final recommendations were determined by voting. RECOMMENDATIONS: all older adults should be advised on falls prevention and physical activity. Opportunistic case finding for falls risk is recommended for community-dwelling older adults. Those considered at high risk should be offered a comprehensive multifactorial falls risk assessment with a view to co-design and implement personalised multidomain interventions. Other recommendations cover details of assessment and intervention components and combinations, and recommendations for specific settings and populations. CONCLUSIONS: the core set of recommendations provided will require flexible implementation strategies that consider both local context and resources.

Interventions for perceptual disorders following stroke.

BACKGROUND: Perception is the ability to understand information from our senses. It allows us to experience and meaningfully interact with our environment. A stroke may impair perception in up to 70% of stroke survivors, leading to distress, increased dependence on others, and poorer quality of life. Interventions to address perceptual disorders may include assessment and screening, rehabilitation, non-invasive brain stimulation, pharmacological and surgical approaches. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at perceptual disorders after stroke compared to no intervention or control (placebo, standard care, attention control), on measures of performance in activities of daily living.  SEARCH METHODS: We searched the trials registers of the Cochrane Stroke Group, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and three other databases to August 2021. We also searched trials and research registers, reference lists of studies, handsearched journals, and contacted authors. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adult stroke survivors with perceptual disorders. We defined perception as the specific mental functions of recognising and interpreting sensory stimuli and included hearing, taste, touch, smell, somatosensation, and vision. Our definition of perception excluded visual field deficits, neglect/inattention, and pain. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One review author assessed titles, with two review authors independently screening abstracts and full-text articles for eligibility. One review author extracted, appraised, and entered data, which were checked by a second author. We assessed risk of bias (ROB) using the ROB-1 tool, and quality of evidence using GRADE.  A stakeholder group, comprising stroke survivors, carers, and healthcare professionals, was involved in this review update. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 18 eligible RCTs involving 541 participants. The trials addressed touch (three trials, 70 participants), somatosensory (seven trials, 196 participants) and visual perception disorders (seven trials, 225 participants), with one (50 participants) exploring mixed touch-somatosensory disorders. None addressed stroke-related hearing, taste, or smell perception disorders. All but one examined the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions; the exception evaluated non-invasive brain stimulation. For our main comparison of active intervention versus no treatment or control, one trial reported our primary outcome of performance in activities of daily living (ADL):  Somatosensory disorders: one trial (24 participants) compared an intervention with a control intervention and reported an ADL measure.  Touch perception disorder: no trials measuring ADL compared an intervention with no treatment or with a control intervention.  Visual perception disorders: no trials measuring ADL compared an intervention with no treatment or control.  In addition, six trials reported ADL outcomes in a comparison of active intervention versus active intervention, relating to somatosensation (three trials), touch (one trial) and vision (two trials).   AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Following a detailed, systematic search, we identified limited RCT evidence of the effectiveness of interventions for perceptual disorders following stroke. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the suggestion that perceptual interventions are effective. More high-quality trials of interventions for perceptual disorders in stroke are needed. They should recruit sufficient participant numbers, include a 'usual care' comparison, and measure longer-term functional outcomes, at time points beyond the initial intervention period. People with impaired perception following a stroke should continue to receive neurorehabilitation according to clinical guidelines.

A survey of nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists in mobility care and gait aid use for hospital patients with dementia.

This study described mobility care practice of nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists and gait aid use for hospital patients with dementia. Two surveys, tailored to staff mobility care roles were distributed in Australian hospitals. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists were asked additional questions regarding assessments and factors for prescribing gait aids to patients with dementia. Descriptive statistics for closed-ended and summative content analyses for open-ended questions were undertaken. Nurses (n=56), physiotherapists (n=11) and occupational therapists (n=23) used various practices to ensure ambulation safety for patients with dementia. Nurses and occupational therapists commonly referred patients with dementia to physiotherapists for mobility and gait aid assessments. Therapists predominantly considered the severity of dementia, the person's learning ability and mobility history in deciding about gait aid use. Exploring ways to strengthen nursing and health professional education, and inter-professional practice for safe mobility in patients with dementia, with and without gait aids, could be helpful.

Perioperative gait analysis after total hip arthroplasty: Does outpatient surgery compromise patient outcomes?

Background: There has been a continuing trend toward decreasing the length of hospital stay for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA). We aimed to investigate the impact of timing of discharge on gait and patient-reported outcomes early after THA. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study conducted from May 2014 to November 2015, we measured gait velocity, stride length, single-limb support and single-limb support symmetry in adults aged 18-75 years before direct anterior THA, at discharge from the hospital, and 2, 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon. Patients were discharged on the same day as surgery (outpatient group) or stayed at least 1 night in hospital (inpatient group). Participants also completed the Timed Up and Go test (all postoperative time points) and a series of questionnaires (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [6 and 12 wk], 12-Item Short Form Health Survey [2, 6 and 12 wk], Harris Hip Score [12 wk] and a pain visual analogue scale [all postoperative time points]). Results: Thirty-six participants were enrolled in the study, of whom 16 were outpatients and 20 were inpatients. The mean pain rating at the time of discharge was lower in the outpatient group than in the inpatient group (adjusted mean difference -1.5, 95% confidence interval -3.0 to 0.0). We found no other significant differences between the groups for any gait, patient-reported or surgical outcome. Conclusion: There were no statistically significant differences in gait or patient-reported outcomes after direct anterior THA between patients who stayed overnight and those who were discharged as outpatients. Patients discharged as outpatients were younger than those who stayed overnight. Our results suggest that discharging patients as an outpatient after direct anterior THA may have a similar impact on patient function and outcomes as a standard overnight stay in hospital.

Dual decline in gait speed and cognition is associated with future dementia: evidence for a phenotype.

BACKGROUND: concurrent declines in gait speed and cognition have been associated with future dementia. However, the clinical profile of 'dual decliners', those with concomitant decline in both gait speed and cognition, has not been yet described. We aimed to describe the phenotype and the risk for incident dementia of those who present with dual decline in comparison with non-dual decliners. METHODS: prospective cohort of community-dwelling older adults free of dementia at baseline. We evaluated participants' gait speed, cognition, medical status, functionality, incidence of adverse events and dementia, biannually over 7 years. Gait speed was assessed with a 6-m electronic walkway and global cognition using the MoCA test. We compared characteristics between dual decliners and non-dual decliners using t-test, chi-square and hierarchical regression models. We estimated incident dementia using Cox models. RESULTS: among 144 participants (mean age 74.23 ± 6.72 years, 54% women), 17% progressed to dementia. Dual decliners had a 3-fold risk (HR: 3.12, 95%CI: 1.23-7.93, P = 0.017) of progression to dementia compared with non-dual decliners. Dual decliners were significantly older with a higher prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia (P = 0.002). Hierarchical regression models show that age and sex alone explained 3% of the variation in the dual decliners group. Adding hypertension and dyslipidemia increased the explained variation by 8 and 10%, respectively. The risk of becoming a dual decliner was 4-fold higher if hypertension was present. CONCLUSION: older adults with a concurrent decline in gait speed and cognition represent a group at the highest risk of progression to dementia. Older adults with dual decline have a distinct phenotype with a higher prevalence of hypertension, a treatable condition.

Development, reliability and validity of the Safe Use of Mobility Aids Checklist (SUMAC) for 4-wheeled walker use in people living with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Balance and gait problems are common and progressive in dementia. Use of a mobility aid provides physical support and confidence. Yet, mobility aid use in people with dementia increases falls three-fold. An assessment tool of mobility aid safety in people with dementia does not currently exist. The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop a tool for the evaluation of physical function and safe use of a 4-wheeled walker in people with dementia, and 2) to evaluate its construct and criterion validity, inter-rater and test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change. METHODS: Healthcare professionals (HCP) experienced in rehabilitation of people with dementia participated in focus groups for item generation of the new tool, The Safe Use of Mobility Aid Checklist (SUMAC). The SUMAC evaluates physical function (PF) and safe use of the equipment (EQ) on nine tasks of daily life. Reliability was evaluated by HCP (n = 5) scored participant videos of people with dementia (n = 10) using a 4-wheeled walker performing the SUMAC. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Construct validity evaluated scores of the HCPs to a consensus HCP panel using Spearman's rank-order correlations. Criterion validity evaluated SUMAC-PF to the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) gait subscale using Spearman's rank-order correlations. RESULTS: Three focus groups (n = 17) generated a tool comprised of nine tasks and the components within each task for physical function and safe use. Inter-rater reliability was statistically significant for SUMAC-PF (ICC = 0.92, 95%CI (0.81, 0.98), p < 0.001) and SUMAC-EQ. (ICC = 0.82, 95%CI (0.54, 0.95), p < 0.001). Test-retest reliability was statistically significant for SUMAC-PF (ICC = 0.89, 95%CI (0.81, 0.94), p < 0.001) and SUMAC-EQ. (ICC = 0.88, 95%CI (0.79, 0.93), p < 0.001). As hypothesized, the POMA gait subscale correlated strongly with the SUMAC-PF (rs = 0.84), but not EQ (rs = 0.39). CONCLUSIONS: The focus groups and research team developed a tool of nine tasks with evaluation on physical function and safe use of a 4-wheeled walker for people with dementia. The SUMAC tool has demonstrated content validity for the whole scale and good construct and criterion validity for the SUMAC-PF and SUMAC-EQ. The subscores of the SUMAC demonstrated excellent to good inter-rater and test-retest reliability.

Cognition Predicts Mobility Change in Lower Extremity Amputees Between Discharge From Rehabilitation and 4-Month Follow-up: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess (1) the effect of task (single and dual task), time (discharge and 4mo), and their interaction for mobility; (2) task prioritization during dual-task testing; and (3) the association between cognition on change in mobility between discharge from rehabilitation and 4 months' follow-up. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: People with lower extremity amputations (N=22) were consecutively recruited at discharge from an inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation program. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait velocity and the L Test of Functional Mobility, single and dual task (serial subtractions by 3), were the primary outcomes. Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Trail Making Test quantified cognition as secondary outcomes. Repeated measures analysis of variance evaluated the effects of task (single task and dual task) and time (at discharge and 4 months' follow-up) and their interaction on each outcome. A performance-resource operating characteristic graph evaluated gait and cognitive task prioritization. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the association between cognition and change in mobility over time. RESULTS: No significant interactions between task and time were found (all P>.121) for L Test and gait velocity. The L Test single task (P=.001) and dual task (P=.004) improved over time. Gait velocity improved over time for both single task and dual task (P<.001). Dual-task performance was slower than single-task performances at each time point. The Trail Making Test B was independently associated with the change in dual-task L Test (P=.012), and single-task (P=.003) and dual-task (P=.006) gait velocity at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Gait velocity and L Test single and dual task improved over time. No significant interactions indicated that cognitive task did not differentially affect performance over time. Lower executive function scores at discharge were independently associated with lower gains in all gait velocity and dual-task L Test outcomes at follow-up.

Gait parameters and characteristics associated with increased risk of falls in people with dementia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: People with dementia fall twice as often and have more serious fall-related injuries than healthy older adults. While gait impairment as a generic term is understood as a fall risk factor in this population, a clear elaboration of the specific components of gait that are associated with falls risk is needed for knowledge translation to clinical practice and the development of fall prevention strategies for people with dementia. OBJECTIVE: To review gait parameters and characteristics associated with falls in people with dementia. METHODS: Electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE, MedLine, PsycINFO, and PubMed were searched (from inception to April 2017) to identify prospective cohort studies evaluating the association between gait and falls in people with dementia. RESULTS: Increased double support time variability, use of mobility aids, walking outdoors, higher scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, and lower average walking bouts were associated with elevated risk of any fall. Increased double support time and step length variability were associated with recurrent falls. The reviewed articles do not support using the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment and the Timed Up-and-Go tests to predict any fall in this population. There is limited research on the use of dual-task gait assessments for predicting falls in people with dementia. CONCLUSION: This systematic review shows the specific spatiotemporal gait parameters and features that are associated with falls in people with dementia. Future research is recommended to focus on developing specialized treatment methods for these specific gait impairments in this patient population.

Selective Activation of N,N'-Diacyl Rhodamine Pro-fluorophores Paired with Releasing Enzyme, Porcine Liver Esterase (PLE).

This study reports the synthesis and testing of a family of rhodamine pro-fluorophores and an enzyme capable of converting pro-fluorophores to Rhodamine 110. We prepared a library of simple N,N'-diacyl rhodamines and investigated porcine liver esterase (PLE) as an enzyme to activate rhodamine-based pro-fluorophores. A PLE-expressing cell line generated an increase in fluorescence rapidly upon pro-fluorophore addition demonstrating the rhodamine pro-fluorophores are readily taken up and fluorescent upon PLE-mediated release. Rhodamine pro-fluorophore amides trifluoroacetamide (TFAm) and proponamide (PAm) appeared to be the best substrates using a cell-based assay using PLE expressing HEK293. Our pro-fluorophore series showed diffusion into live cells and resisted endogenous hydrolysis. The use of our engineered cell line containing the exogenous enzyme PLE demonstrated the rigorousness of amide masking when compared to cells not containing PLE. This simple and selective pro-fluorophore rhodamine pair with PLE offers the potential to be used in vitro and in vivo fluorescence based assays.

MoCA Domain Score Analysis and Relation to Mobility Outcomes in Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputees.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between cognitive functioning, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and functional outcomes upon discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive admissions (N=130; mean age, 66.21±11.19y) with lower extremity amputation of dysvascular etiology. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cognitive status was assessed using the MoCA. The L Test of Functional Mobility (L Test) and the 2-minute walk test were used to estimate functional mobility and walking endurance. RESULTS: In multivariable linear regression analysis, those who scored 2 on the visuospatial/executive functioning (out of 5) and language (out of 3) domains had statistically shorter distances walked on the 2-minute walk test than did those who scored the highest on these MoCA domains. These values were not clinically relevant. Time to complete the L Test for those who scored the lowest on the MoCA domains of visuospatial/executive functioning and delayed recall and 3 on the attention domain (out of 6) was significantly longer than that for those who scored the highest. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with lower extremity amputation have an increased risk of cognitive impairment related to amputation etiology. Lower levels of functioning on MoCA domains of visuospatial/executive functioning, delayed recall, and attention were shown to negatively relate to the rehabilitation outcome of functional mobility, as measured by the L Test.

Determining Reliability of a Dual-Task Functional Mobility Protocol for Individuals With Lower Extremity Amputation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative and absolute reliability of a dual-task functional mobility assessment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Academic rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=60) with lower extremity amputation attending an outpatient amputee clinic (mean age, 58.21±12.59y; 18, 80% male) who were stratified into 3 groups: (1) transtibial amputation of vascular etiology (n=20); (2) transtibial amputation of nonvascular etiology (n=20); and (3) transfemoral or bilateral amputation of any etiology (n=20). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to complete the L Test measured functional mobility under single- and dual-task conditions. The addition of a cognitive task (serial subtractions by 3's) created dual-task conditions. Single-task performance on the cognitive task was also reported. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) measured relative reliability; SEM and minimal detectable change with a 95% confidence interval (MDC95) measured absolute reliability. Bland-Altman plots measured agreement between assessments. RESULTS: Relative reliability results were excellent for all 3 groups. Values for the dual-task L Test for those with transtibial amputation of vascular etiology (n=20; mean age, 60.36±7.84y; 19, 90% men) were ICC=.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], .94-.99), SEM=1.36 seconds, and MDC95=3.76 seconds; for those with transtibial amputation of nonvascular etiology (n=20; mean age, 55.85±14.08y; 17, 85% men), values were ICC=.93 (95% CI, .80-.98), SEM=1.34 seconds, and MDC95=3.71 seconds; and for those with transfemoral or bilateral amputation (n=20; mean age, 58.21±14.88y; 13, 65% men), values were ICC=.998 (95% CI, .996-.999), SEM=1.03 seconds, and MDC95=2.85 seconds. Bland-Altman plots indicated that assessments did not vary systematically for each group. CONCLUSIONS: This dual-task assessment protocol achieved approved levels of relative reliability values for the 3 groups tested. This protocol may be used clinically or in research settings to assess the interaction between cognition and functional mobility in the population with lower extremity amputation.

A framework for secondary cognitive and motor tasks in dual-task gait testing in people with mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Cognition is a key factor in the regulation of normal walking and dual-task gait assessment is an accepted method to evaluate the relationship. The objective of this study was to create a framework for task complexity of concurrent motor and cognitive tasks with gait in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: Community-dwelling people with MCI (n = 41, mean age = 76.20 ± 7.65 years) and cognitively normal controls (n = 41, mean age = 72.10 ± 3.80 years) participated in this study. Gait velocity was collected using an instrumented walkway under one single task and six combined tasks of motor and cognitive activities. The cognitive cost was the difference between the single gait task and each of the concurrent motor and cognitive challenges. A repeated two-way measure ANOVA assessed the effect of cognitive group and walking test condition for each gait task test. RESULTS: Gait velocity was significantly slower in the MCI group under all tasks. For both groups, the concurrent motor task of carrying a glass of water conferred a challenge not different from the cognitive task of counting backwards by ones. Performance of the complex cognitive task of serial seven subtractions reduced gait velocity in both groups, but produced a greater change in the MCI group (31.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Not all concurrent tasks challenge cognition-motor interaction equivalently. This study has created a framework of task difficulty which allows for the translation of dual-task test conditions to future research and clinical practice to ensure the accuracy of assessing patient deficits and risk.

SYNERGIC TRIAL (SYNchronizing Exercises, Remedies in Gait and Cognition) a multi-Centre randomized controlled double blind trial to improve gait and cognition in mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Physical exercise, cognitive training, and vitamin D are low cost interventions that have the potential to enhance cognitive function and mobility in older adults, especially in pre-dementia states such as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Aerobic and progressive resistance exercises have benefits to cognitive performance, though evidence is somewhat inconsistent. We postulate that combined aerobic exercise (AE) and progressive resistance training (RT) (combined exercise) will have a better effect on cognition than a balance and toning control (BAT) intervention in older adults with MCI. We also expect that adding cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation to the combined exercise, as a multimodal intervention, will have synergistic efficacy. METHODS: The SYNERGIC trial (SYNchronizing Exercises, Remedies in GaIt and Cognition) is a multi-site, double-blinded, five-arm, controlled trial that assesses the potential synergic effect of combined AE and RT on cognition and mobility, with and without cognitive training and vitamin D supplementation in older adults with MCI. Two-hundred participants with MCI aged 60 to 85 years old will be randomized to one of five arms, four of which include combined exercise plus combinations of dual-task cognitive training (real vs. sham) and vitamin D supplementation (3 × 10,000 IU/wk. vs. placebo) in a quasi-factorial design, and one arm which receives all control interventions. The primary outcome measure is the ADAS-Cog (13 and plus modalities) measured at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up. Secondary outcomes include neuroimaging, neuro-cognitive performance, gait and mobility performance, and serum biomarkers of inflammation (C reactive protein and interleukin 6), neuroplasticity (brain-derived neurotropic factor), endothelial markers (vascular endothelial growth factor 1), and vitamin D serum levels. DISCUSSION: The SYNERGIC Trial will establish the efficacy and feasibility of a multimodal intervention to improve cognitive performance and mobility outcomes in MCI. These interventions may contribute to new approaches to stabilize and reverse cognitive-mobility decline in older individuals with MCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Identifier: NCT02808676. https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02808676 .