Gait and Balance Impairments in Alzheimer Disease Patients

Munoz, Virginia Mazoteras; Kan, Gabor Abellán van; Cantet, Christelle; Cortes, Frédéric; Ousset, Pierre‐Jean; Rolland, Yves; Vellas, Bruno

doi:10.1097/wad.0b013e3181c78a20

Cited by 59 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Chronic dis-32 [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] eases that appear to cause more severe disabilities and make recovering of gait and balance more difficult in such patients are chronic obstructive lung disease, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, cancer that is not life thretening 8,9 . Musculoskeletal disorders in our subjects were not associated with increased risk for falls, but the usage of NSAIDs was.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of risk for falls in elderly

Stanetić¹,

Marković²,

Tešanović³

et al. 2014

Opsta med

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Introduction: Elderly persons have higher risk for falls, compared to younger population. Although no single risk factor causes all falls, a great deal of risk factors to which an individual is exposed, i.e. osteoporosis, lack of physical activity, impaired vision, usage of drugs, living settings etc, can be treated.Objective: To investigate the risk for falls in elderly patients treated in Family medicine teaching center (ECPM), Primary Health Care Center Banja Luka.Method: This prospective study was conducted in June 2012. The study included 150 patients aged 65 years and older. Patients were chosen randomly. In study were included patients who have visited their family doctors on every of Mondays in June 2012. The Tinetti Gait and Balance Instrument was used to asses the risk for falls. Patients were examined to asses gait and balance according to Tinetti questionnaire, and supplementary questionnaire was created to record data about age, sex, chronic diseases and drugs that patients take.Results: The study included 91 (60.7%) female and 59 (39.3%) male patients. The average age of patients was 74.71 years. 77 (51.3%) were aged 65 to 75 years and 73 (48.7%) were more than 75 years old. Results of Tinetti Gait and Balance Instrument showed that the risk for falls was high in 55 (36.7%), moderate in 31 (20.7%) and low in 64 (42.7%) patients.Conclusion: Approximately, one third of investigated patients had high risk for falls, what indicates that family doctors should be more involved in fall prevention in elderly and in constant educating of older adults and their families.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of risk for falls in elderly

Stanetić¹,

Marković²,

Tešanović³

et al. 2014

Opsta med

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show abstract

“…[7][8][9] Balance and mobility dysfunction have been demonstrated in IwAD 8 , 9 and increase with the progression of the disease. [10][11][12] Degradation of gait and balance was formerly thought to be a late sequelae of AD, but more recent evidence demonstrates these activity limitations early in the course of the disease. [13][14][15][16] Balance exercise programs have been shown to be effective in improving balance 17 and reducing falls 18 in older adults without cognitive defi cits but have not been well studied in IwAD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Group Balance Training Specifically Designed for Individuals With Alzheimer Disease

Ries

Hutson

Maralit

et al. 2015

Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy

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The 3-month group balance training intervention designed specifically for IwAD was effective in improving balance and mobility, as evidenced by improved BBS and TUG performances. Cognition did not decline during the course of the intervention but did decline following the intervention, suggesting a possible protective effect. Given the promising findings, a larger-scale controlled study is warranted.

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“…10 In some studies, severity was defined by performance on a functional test, 14 by the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly cognitive subsection (CAMCOG), 13 or there was no description of how severity was defined. 9,15 Studies, such as that by McGough and colleagues, 16 have examined performance deficits of those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a diagnosis separate from AD, or included those who had probable AD. 17 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Balance and Gait of Adults With Very Mild Alzheimer Disease

Gras

Kanaan²,

McDowd³

et al. 2015

Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy

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Background and Purpose Studies have shown that adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have gait and balance deficits, however the focus has been on those with mild to severe disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if balance and gait deficits are present in those with very mild AD. Methods Thirteen adults (72.9 ± 4.7 years old) with very mild AD and thirteen age (72.6 ± 4.6 years old) and gender-matched (10 males, 3 females) participants in a control group without AD performed balance and gait tests. All participants were living in the community and independent in community ambulation. Results Participants with very mild AD had shorter times in the sharpened Romberg tests with eyes open (p<0.001) and with eyes closed (p=0.007) compared to participants in the control group. Those with AD also took longer to complete the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), (p< 0.001). Gait deficits were found for those with AD as demonstrated by slower velocities in the 10-meter walk at a comfortable pace (p=0.029) and on an instrumented walkway (p<0.001). Stance times were longer for those with AD (p<0.001) and step length was shorter (p=0.001). There were no group differences in the 10-meter walk at a fast pace. The gait velocity of participants in the control group was faster on the instrumented walkway than in the 10-meter walk at a comfortable pace (p=0.031). In contrast, the gait velocity of those with AD was significantly slower on the instrumented walkway than in the 10-meter walk at a comfortable pace, (p=0.024). Discussion Balance and gait deficits may be present in those in the very early stages of AD. Novel surfaces may affect gait speed in those with very mild AD. Identifying mobility deficits early in the progression of AD may provide an opportunity for early physical therapy intervention, thus promoting continued functional independence. Conclusions Adults in the very early stages of AD may show signs of balance and gait deficits. Recognition of these problems early with subsequent physical therapy may slow the progression of further balance and gait dysfunction.

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Gait and Balance Impairments in Alzheimer Disease Patients

Cited by 59 publications

References 41 publications

Assessment of risk for falls in elderly

Assessment of risk for falls in elderly

Group Balance Training Specifically Designed for Individuals With Alzheimer Disease

Balance and Gait of Adults With Very Mild Alzheimer Disease

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