The Impact of Curved Walking on Gait Impairments in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Tuesday - March 12 2024, 16:26 UTC - 1 year ago

A recent study by Florida Atlantic University found that curved walking tests are more effective in detecting gait impairments in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to straight walking tests. Of the 50 gait markers measured, 31 were significantly greater in the MCI group during curved walking. The lead author, Dr. Behnaz Ghoraani, is a 25-year-old NSF CAREER Award winner who is dedicated to developing technology-based solutions for early detection and management of neurodegenerative diseases.

A recent study conducted by the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Florida Atlantic University has shed light on the impact of curved walking on gait impairments in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The study, which is the first of its kind, compared the performance of healthy older adults to those with MCI in both straight and curve walking tests.

Gait analysis is emerging as a valuable tool for aiding in the early detection and management of cognitive decline. It involves examining an individual's standing and walking patterns, which can provide insight into their overall physical and cognitive health. Traditionally, gait analyses have focused on straight walking paths, but this new study explores the benefits of curved walking tests.

Straight walking is a rhythmic and simpler activity, while walking on a curving path requires greater cognitive and motor skills such as changing directions and adjusting balance. This type of gait analysis provides a more natural and complex picture of an individual's gait patterns.

To conduct the study, researchers utilized a depth camera capable of detecting and tracking 25 joints of body movement. Study participants completed both straight and curve walking tests while their gait patterns were recorded. Signals from the 25 body joints were then processed and compared using statistical analyses.

The results, which were published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease Reports, revealed that curve walking tests were more effective in detecting MCI compared to straight walking tests. The participants with MCI also showed more difficulty in completing the curve walking test compared to the healthy controls. Several gait markers also showed significant differences between the two groups, providing valuable information on the functional performance of the participants during the tests.

Overall, the study found that 31 out of 50 gait markers were greater in the MCI group compared to the healthy control group during curved walking. This highlights the potential of curved walking tests in identifying gait impairments in this population. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of early detection and management of MCI, as people with this condition are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Behnaz Ghoraani, is a 25-year-old winner of the National Science Foundation's CAREER Award and an assistant professor at FAU's Department of Computer and Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Her research, which focuses on developing technology-based solutions for early detection and management of neurodegenerative diseases, has the potential to greatly impact the lives of older adults and those with MCI.