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Sensory and cognitive functions, gait ability and functionality of older adults* * Paper extracted from master´s thesis “Función sensorial, cognitiva, capacidad de marcha y funcionalidad de adultos mayores”, presented to Universidad Autonoma de Nunevo León, Facultad de Enfermería, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

Objective:

to know the relationship between the sensory function, gait ability, and cognitive function with dependency in older adults.

Method:

a descriptive cross-sectional design, 146 older adults took part.

Measurements:

Snellen chart, Audiometer, Stereognosia tests, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, basic aromas and flavors, GAITRite system, Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test, the Barthel Index, and the Lawton and Brody Index.

Results:

sensory function, cognitive function and gait explain 25% dependence on basic activities of daily life and 21% dependence on instrumental activities of daily life. The variables that influence dependence on basic activities were taste (p=.029), gait speed (p=.009), cadence (p=.002) and step length (p=.001) and, in instrumental activities, gait speed (p=.049), cadence (p=.028) and step length (p=.010).

Conclusion:

gait speed, cadence and stride length are variables that influence both dependence on basic and instrumental activities of daily life.

Descriptors:
Sensation; Gait; Cognition; Activities of Daily Living; Disabled Persons; Aged


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