Comparisons of gait characteristics during obstacle crossing at different heights between older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare gait characteristics during obstacle crossing between older adults with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (a-MCI) and non-MCI and to investigate effects of obstacle height on obstacle crossing in both groups.

Methods: Nineteen older adults with a-MCI (mean age 69.89±6.43 years) and 19 age, gender and body mass index matched non-MCI (mean age 70.58±6.40 years) participated in the study. Participants were tested on two walking

conditions: 1) low obstacle (10% of leg length), and 2) high obstacle (30% of leg length). Spatial and temporal gait parameters were recorded and analyzed using 3-D motion capture and analysis system.

Results: For the low obstacle condition, the a-MCI group demonstrated shorter crossing step length and slower crossing velocity than the non-MCI group (p=0.019 and 0.012, respectively). For the high obstacle condition, the a-MCI group demonstrated shorter crossing step length, leading heel distance and slower crossing velocity than the non-MCI group (p=0.041, 0.025 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: Gait characteristics during obstacle crossing in older adults with a-MCI differed from those without MCI. Furthermore, the differences were prominent in the high obstacle condition. The reduced crossing step length, leading heel distance, and crossing velocity may place older adults with a-MCI at risk of tripping falls.

Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2015; 48(3): 204-213. Doi: 10.14456/jams.2015.19