2024 Volume 18 Issue 1 Pages 89-96
Objective: It has been reported that a decline in cognitive function affects walking ability, leading to deteriorated walking performance under dual-task conditions and delayed comfortable walking speed. However, there is insufficient exploration of the regularity of comfortable walking in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between cognitive function and walking characteristics by recording and analyzing the walking patterns of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Methods: The study included 72 participants diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease among the users of a day service facility. Cognitive function, walking ability, and daily living function were assessed for each participant, and correlations were examined between these variables. Video analysis of walking function was conducted using the "Toruto" motion analysis application, which evaluates walking speed, regularity, and left-right asymmetry.
Results: The items that were correlated with cognitive function were instrumental activities of daily living, walking regularity, and walking speed.
Conclusion: The video analysis application "Toruto" used in this study is capable of measurements by staff other than medical professionals. Additionally, it was suggested that the regularity of walking in Alzheimer's disease patients is influenced by cognitive function.
