In a study from Monash University, scientists found walking speed and grip strength could be early indicators of dementia before the onset of noticeable symptoms.
They found slow walking speed combined with weak hand grip was a stronger predictor of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults than either measure alone.
In the study, the team data from more than 18,000 initially healthy adults, mostly aged 70 and older in the ASPREE trial.
They showed that a combined poor gait speed and grip strength was linked to a 79% increased risk of dementia and a 43% increased risk of cognitive decline.
Over time, the risk for dementia or cognitive decline was shown to be highest when gait and grip declined simultaneously over the study period of nearly 5 years, with an 89% increased risk of dementia and 55% increased risk of cognitive decline.
It’s the first time the two physical measures have been studied together to assess their combined link with changes in cognitive function.
During the course of the ASPREE trial, 2773 participants in this analysis developed cognitive decline and 558 dementia.
The findings have significant implications for dementia diagnosis, early intervention and treatment.
Globally, the number of people living with dementia is expected to almost triple in three decades, from 57.4 million in 2019, to 152.8 million by 2050.
The team said the research showed an important link between age-related cognitive and physical decline.
The poor physical function may be a marker of future risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and thus, understanding this association could enhance early detection and prevention strategies
While there are currently no cures for dementia, if identified early, treatment strategies can be implemented to slow its progression and manage the symptoms.
The team said simple grip strength and gait speed assessments could be adopted by doctors to help identify dementia risk early and establish treatment pathways to improve patient outcomes.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that taller men have a lower dementia risk, and high blood pressure may lower dementia risk for some old adults.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that antioxidants could protect you from dementia, and results showing this metal could help reduce risk of dementia.
This paper was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring and conducted by Dr. Suzanne Orchard et al.
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