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The Association of Specific Executive Functions and Falls Risk in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early-Stage Dementia

Harwood, Rowan; Logan, Philippa; van der Wardt, Veronika; Logan, Phillipa A.; Hood, Victoria; Booth, Victoria; Masud, Tahir; Harwood, Rowan H.

The Association of Specific Executive Functions and Falls Risk in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early-Stage Dementia Thumbnail


Authors

Philippa Logan

Veronika van der Wardt

PIP LOGAN pip.logan@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Rehabilitation Research

Victoria Hood

Tahir Masud

Rowan H. Harwood



Abstract

Background/Aims:

Impairment in executive function is associated with a heightened risk for falls in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. The purpose of this study was to determine which aspects of executive function are associated with falls risk.


Methods:

Forty-two participants with a mean age of 81.6 years and a diagnosis of MCI or mild dementia completed five different executive function tests from the computerised CANTAB test battery and a comprehensive falls risk assessment.

Results:

A hierarchical regression analysis showed that falls risk was significantly associated with spatial memory abilities and inhibition of a pre-potent response.

Conclusion:


The concept of executive function may be too general to provide meaningful results in a research or clinical context, which should focus on spatial memory and inhibition of a pre-potent response.

Citation

Harwood, R., Logan, P., van der Wardt, V., Logan, P. A., Hood, V., Booth, V., …Harwood, R. H. (2015). The Association of Specific Executive Functions and Falls Risk in People with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early-Stage Dementia. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 40(3-4), 178-185. https://doi.org/10.1159/000433523

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 26, 2015
Online Publication Date Jul 21, 2015
Publication Date Sep 30, 2015
Deposit Date Jan 24, 2017
Publicly Available Date Jan 24, 2017
Journal Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Print ISSN 1420-8008
Electronic ISSN 1421-9824
Publisher Karger Publishers
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 40
Issue 3-4
Pages 178-185
DOI https://doi.org/10.1159/000433523
Keywords Memory impairment, Falls, Cognition, Inhibition of a pre-potent response, Executive function, Attention switching, Spatial memory
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/760320
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000433523
Related Public URLs http://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/433523#
Additional Information © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel
Contract Date Jan 24, 2017

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