Gait speed and cognitive score in elderly users of the primary care service

a quantitative cross-sectional study with 203 elderly, a sample calculated based on the estimated population proportion. Data were collected using a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, gait speed test (GS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results:

the illiterate patients had a mean MMSE=19.33(±3.7) and GS = 0.76m/s (±0.3); those with low/medium education had a MMSE = 25.43(±2.8) and GS = 0.92m/s (±0.2); and the elderly with higher education had a MMSE = 27.33(±2.9) and GS=1.12m/s (±0.3).There was a weak correlation (R²=⁰⁰³⁵⁴) between gait speed and cognitive score, with statistical significance (Prob>F = 0.0072) and a positive linear trend.

Conclusion:

the better cognitive score the higher the gait speed; the illiterate elderly were those with lower gait speed, thereby indicating a poorer physical performance.

Key words:
Gait; Cognition; Geriatric Nursing

Level of education	*Mean MMSE^ Note: * MMSE = Mini Mental State Examination test; (±SD † SD =Standard Deviation; )**	Mean GS † GS =Gait speed. (±SD)
Iliterate	19.33 (±3.7)	0.76 (±0.3)
Low / medium education	25.43 (±2.8)	0.92 (±0.2)
Higher education	27.33 (±2.9)	1.12 (±0.3)

Variables	*P^ Note: * Fisher Test value**	Bonferroni (P value)
Mini Mental State Examination	(<0.001)	"Iliterate" & "Low/Medium" (<0.001)
		"Iliterate" & "Higher" (<0.001)
		"Low/Medium" & "Higher" (0.814)
Gait speed	(0.0047)	"Iliterate" & "Low/Medium" (0.01)
		"Iliterate" & "Higher" (0.067)
		"Low/Medium" & "Higher" (0.530)

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E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br

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[1] CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Jacy Aurelia Vieira de Sousa. E-mail: jacy.sousa@gmail.com