About this Research Topic
‘Cognitive impairment’ is a blanket term describing several diseases and conditions that affect mental faculties, from subjective or mild memory loss, to severe dementia with loss of independence. Research over the last decades has shown that motor functions such as gait and balance, are related to cognitive functioning: Gait patterns can for example differentiate between dementia subtypes, and gait changes may precede cognitive decline by years. The pathway between gait and cognition is complex, but there is some evidence of shared central nervous pathology, where gait impairments may manifest earlier than cognitive impairments. With increasing longevity, the number of persons with cognitive impairments is rising globally. It is therefore important to have clinically available assessment methods that can be used for early detection, classification and monitoring of cognitive impairments. Further, the role of gait training and cognitive training to improve both gait and cognition should be investigated to determine efficacy and effectiveness.
Gait and mobility are important markers for overall health and as predictors for survival in older adults. While the association between mobility and cognitive function is now acknowledged, this is still an emerging area of work with potential for supporting diagnosis and care of people with cognitive impairment, across the spectrum of cognition and care.
Mobility research spans the clinical pathway - from pre-diagnosis through to long term care. The overarching goal is to gain a comprehensive view of the different ways mobility research is contributing to improving quality of life, independence, and clinical care pathways. To achieve this we will explore the temporal course of decline in mobility and cognition, the underlying associations between mobility and biomarkers for neurodegeneration, as well as apply novel technologies for obtaining data on mobility in real life.
This goal of this Research Topic is to review and expand the current evidence regarding the link between mobility and cognitive function. Both original research (observational studies, cohort or time series studies and experimental studies), and systematic reviews are relevant for the call. Specific research themes include:
• Association between multi-day recordings of gait and mobility and cognitive functioning in older adults
• Feasibility and utility of clinically applicable assessment methods of gait and balance in older adults with cognitive impairment
• Basic science and transitional research: Associations between biological biomarkers and parameters of gait and balance
• Gait and mobility as a diagnostic tool for cognitive impairment and dementia subtypes
• Gait and mobility assessments in cognitively impaired individuals in long term care settings
• Feasibility, efficacy or effectiveness of gait training for improving cognitive functioning
Gait and mobility are important markers for overall health and as predictors for survival in older adults. While the association between mobility and cognitive function is now acknowledged, this is still an emerging area of work with potential for supporting diagnosis and care of people with cognitive impairment, across the spectrum of cognition and care.
Mobility research spans the clinical pathway - from pre-diagnosis through to long term care. The overarching goal is to gain a comprehensive view of the different ways mobility research is contributing to improving quality of life, independence, and clinical care pathways. To achieve this we will explore the temporal course of decline in mobility and cognition, the underlying associations between mobility and biomarkers for neurodegeneration, as well as apply novel technologies for obtaining data on mobility in real life.
This goal of this Research Topic is to review and expand the current evidence regarding the link between mobility and cognitive function. Both original research (observational studies, cohort or time series studies and experimental studies), and systematic reviews are relevant for the call. Specific research themes include:
• Association between multi-day recordings of gait and mobility and cognitive functioning in older adults
• Feasibility and utility of clinically applicable assessment methods of gait and balance in older adults with cognitive impairment
• Basic science and transitional research: Associations between biological biomarkers and parameters of gait and balance
• Gait and mobility as a diagnostic tool for cognitive impairment and dementia subtypes
• Gait and mobility assessments in cognitively impaired individuals in long term care settings
• Feasibility, efficacy or effectiveness of gait training for improving cognitive functioning
Keywords: Dementia, Cognitive, Gait, Mobility, Walking
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