OBJECTIVES: Measures of physical performance were used in intact and community populations. We examined upper and lower extremity physical performance tests among people with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: A total of 367 persons with probable Alzheimer's disease, recruited from an Alzheimer's disease diagnostic center, were given three tests of lower extremity function and two tests of upper extremity function at 6 month intervals for up to 4 years. Gender, race, age and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at baseline were used to predict subsequent decline in composite scores of lower and upper extremity function. RESULTS: At baseline, older age and lower MMSE scores were associated with lower scores on both lower and upper extremity function. Males performed better at baseline on lower extremity tests only. For each point higher on MMSE, a person declined 0.023 Standard Unit (SU) less per year (p = 0.0001) on lower extremity tests and declined 0.019 SU less per year (p < 0.0001) on upper extremity tests. CONCLUSION: Physical performance was measured across a range of disease severities and declined over time. Lower cognitive score at baseline predicted faster decline in both lower and upper extremity function. Demographic heterogeneity in decline suggests other predictors may identify factors protective against physical decline.
OBJECTIVES: Measures of physical performance were used in intact and community populations. We examined upper and lower extremity physical performance tests among people with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: A total of 367 persons with probable Alzheimer's disease, recruited from an Alzheimer's disease diagnostic center, were given three tests of lower extremity function and two tests of upper extremity function at 6 month intervals for up to 4 years. Gender, race, age and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at baseline were used to predict subsequent decline in composite scores of lower and upper extremity function. RESULTS: At baseline, older age and lower MMSE scores were associated with lower scores on both lower and upper extremity function. Males performed better at baseline on lower extremity tests only. For each point higher on MMSE, a person declined 0.023 Standard Unit (SU) less per year (p = 0.0001) on lower extremity tests and declined 0.019 SU less per year (p < 0.0001) on upper extremity tests. CONCLUSION: Physical performance was measured across a range of disease severities and declined over time. Lower cognitive score at baseline predicted faster decline in both lower and upper extremity function. Demographic heterogeneity in decline suggests other predictors may identify factors protective against physical decline.
Authors: Andrea R Zammit; Annie Robitaille; Andrea M Piccinin; Graciela Muniz-Terrera; Scott M Hofer Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2019-03-14 Impact factor: 6.053
Authors: Khalid A Alahmari; S Paul Silvian; Ravi Shankar Reddy; Venkata Nagaraj Kakaraparthi; Irshad Ahmad; Mohammad Mahtab Alam Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2017-01-01 Impact factor: 1.671
Authors: Gro Gujord Tangen; Elisabet Londos; Johan Olsson; Lennart Minthon; Anne Marit Mengshoel Journal: Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra Date: 2012-12-13