Article

Longitudinal gait measures may be used to provide baseline data for intervention
studies. This has not previously been reported in people with Alzheimer's
Disease. In this study measures of walking and their variability were recorded
for 19 people with Alzheimer's Disease on two occasions 1 year apart. Matched
controls were measured once. Variability was calculated using the coefficient of
variation (CV). Effect size was calculated using Cohen's d. Gait was slower and
more variable in the Alzheimer's Disease group compared to controls. Over 1 year
there was a decrease in velocity (initial=103.9cm/s, follow-up=95.1cm/s; p<0.05,
d=0.4) and stride length (initial=119.6cm, follow-up=112.5cm; p<0.05, d=0.34) and
an increase in double support (initial=24.2%, follow-up=30.1%; p<0.05, d=0.99)
and stride length variability (initial CV=3.5%, follow-up CV=4.6%; p<0.05,
d=0.65). These changes occurred in mild as well as more severe Alzheimer's
Disease. Future research should focus on reducing this decline early in the
course of the disease in order to maintain physical independence for as long as
possible.
CI - Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS