Citation

van der Wardt V, Logan P, Hood V, Booth V, Masud T, Harwood R. Dement. Geriatr. Cogn. Disord. 2015; 40(3-4): 178-185.

Affiliation

Division of Rehabilitation and Ageing, School of Medicine, Nottingham, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Karger Publishers)

DOI

10.1159/000433523

PMID

26206201

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. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Language: en