Guidelines for Gait Assessments in the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)

Authors

  • Stephanie Cullen Parkwood Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute
  • Manuel Montero-Odasso Parkwood Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute; University of Western Ontario
  • Louis Bherer Montreal Heart Institute and Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal; University of Montreal
  • Quincy Almeida Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Sarah Fraser University of Ottawa
  • Susan Muir-Hunter Parkwood Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute; Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiotherapy
  • Karen Li Concordia University
  • Teresa Liu-Ambrose University of British Columbia; Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute
  • Chris A. McGibbon University of New Brunswick
  • William McIlroy University of Waterloo
  • Laura Middleton University of Waterloo
  • Yanina Sarquis-Adamson Parkwood Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute
  • Olivier Beauchet McGill University
  • Bradford J. McFadyen Université Laval; Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration
  • José A. Morais McGill University
  • Richard Camicioli University of Alberta
  • The Canadian Gait and Cognition Network

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.21.298

Keywords:

consensus, gait, cognition, aging, neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Background

Motor and cognitive impairments are common among older adults and often co-exist, increasing their risk of dementia, falls, and fractures. Gait performance is an accepted indicator of global health and it has been proposed as a valid motor marker to detect older adults at risk of developing mobility and cognitive declines including future falls and incident dementia. Our goal was to provide a gait assessment protocol to be used for clinical and research purposes.

Methods

Based on a consensus that identified common evaluations to assess motor–cognitive interactions in community-dwelling older individuals, a protocol on how to evaluate gait in older adults for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) was developed.

Results

The CCNA gait assessment includes preferred and fast pace gait, and dual-task gait that comprises walking while performing three cognitively demanding tasks: counting backwards by ones, counting
backwards by sevens, and naming animals. This gait protocol can be implemented using an electronic-walkway, as well as by using a regular stopwatch. The latter approach provides a simple manner to evaluate quantitative gait performance in clinics.

Conclusions

Establishing a standardized gait assessment protocol will help to assess motor–cognitive interactions in aging and neurodegeneration, to compare results across studies, and to feasibly implement and translate gait testing in clinics for detecting impending cognitive and mobility decline.

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Published

2018-07-09

How to Cite

1.
Cullen S, Montero-Odasso M, Bherer L, Almeida Q, Fraser S, Muir-Hunter S, Li K, Liu-Ambrose T, McGibbon CA, McIlroy W, Middleton L, Sarquis-Adamson Y, Beauchet O, McFadyen BJ, Morais JA, Camicioli R, Cognition Network TCG and. Guidelines for Gait Assessments in the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA). Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2018 Jul. 9 [cited 2024 Apr. 17];21(2):157-65. Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/298

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Original Research

License

Authors contributing to the Candian Geriatrics Journal retain copyright of their work, with exclusive publication rights granted to the Canadian Geriatrics Society upon article acceptance. Read the journal's full copyright and open access policy.