Can timed up and go subtasks predict functional decline in older adults with cognitive impairment?

ABSTRACT. Even in the early stages of cognitive impairment, older people can present important motor alterations. However, there are no studies that have investigated Timed Up and Go (TUG) and its subtasks in predicting impairment of functional capacity over time in this population. Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify if the TUG test and its subtasks can predict functional decline over 32 months in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: This is a prospective 32-month follow-up study, including at baseline 78 older adults (MCI: n=40; AD: n=38). The TUG and its subtasks (e.g., sit-to-stand, walking forward, turn, walking back, and turn-to-sit) were performed at baseline using the Qualisys Motion system. Functional capacity was assessed at baseline and after 32 months. Results: After follow-up, the sample had 45 older adults (MCI: n=25; AD: n=20). Of these, 28 declined functional capacity (MCI: n=13; AD: n=15). No TUG variable significantly predicted (p>0.05) functional decline in both groups, by univariate logistic regression analysis with the covariate gender. Conclusions: Although older adults with MCI and mild AD declined functional capacity, the TUG test and its subtasks could not predict this decline over 32 months.

摘要。即便处于认知障碍早期阶段，老年群体仍可能出现显著的运动功能改变。然而目前尚无研究针对该群体，探究计时起身行走测试（Timed Up and Go, TUG）及其子任务对其长期功能能力受损的预测效能。研究目的：本研究旨在验证计时起身行走测试及其子任务，能否预测轻度认知障碍（MCI）与轻度阿尔茨海默病（AD）老年群体在32个月随访期间的功能衰退情况。研究方法：本研究为一项为期32个月的前瞻性随访研究，基线阶段共纳入78名老年受试者（轻度认知障碍组40例，轻度阿尔茨海默病组38例）。基线阶段采用Qualisys运动捕捉系统完成计时起身行走测试及其子任务测试，子任务包括坐站转换、向前行走、转身、向后行走以及转坐动作。分别在基线阶段与32个月随访结束后对受试者的功能能力进行评估。研究结果：随访结束后，最终有效样本为45名老年受试者（轻度认知障碍组25例，轻度阿尔茨海默病组20例），其中28名受试者出现功能能力衰退（轻度认知障碍组13例，轻度阿尔茨海默病组15例）。经校正性别协变量的单变量逻辑回归分析显示，计时起身行走测试的各项指标均无法显著预测两组受试者的功能衰退（p>0.05）。研究结论：尽管轻度认知障碍与轻度阿尔茨海默病老年群体的功能能力均出现衰退，但计时起身行走测试及其子任务无法有效预测该群体在32个月随访期间的功能衰退情况。