Physical inactivity in older adults with cognitive impairment without dementia: room for improvement

Matthew J Miller; Irena Cenzer; Deborah E Barnes; Kenneth E Covinsky

doi:10.1007/s40520-021-01999-5

Physical inactivity in older adults with cognitive impairment without dementia: room for improvement

Aging Clin Exp Res. 2022 Apr;34(4):837-845. doi: 10.1007/s40520-021-01999-5. Epub 2021 Oct 21.

Authors

Matthew J Miller^{1

2}, Irena Cenzer³, Deborah E Barnes^{4

5

6}, Kenneth E Covinsky^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. matthew.miller4@ucsf.edu.
² Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA. matthew.miller4@ucsf.edu.
³ Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
⁴ San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, CA, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
⁶ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Abstract

Background: Persons with cognitive impairment without dementia are at high risk of adverse health outcomes. Tailored intervention targeting moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may reduce these risks.

Aims: To identify the prevalence and predictors of physical inactivity among older adults with cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND); and estimate the proportion of inactive people with CIND who are capable of greater MVPA.

Methods: We studied 1875 community dwelling participants (over age 65) with CIND in the Health and Retirement Study. Physical inactivity was defined as MVPA ≤ 1x/week. Associations of physical inactivity with sociodemographic, health, and physical function were examined using chi-square and modified Poisson regression. We considered physically inactive participants capable of greater MVPA if they reported MVPA at least 1-3x/month, no difficulty walking several blocks, or no difficulty climbing several flights of stairs.

Results: Fifty-six percent of participants with CIND were physically inactive. Variables with the highest age, sex, and race/ethnicity adjusted risk ratio (ARR) for physical inactivity were self-rated health (poor [76.9%]vs. excellent [34.2%]; ARR [95% CI] 2.27 [1.56-3.30]), difficulty walking (across the room [86.5%] vs. none [40.5%]; ARR [95% CI] 2.09 [1.87-2.35]), total assets (lowest quartile [62.6%] vs. highest quartile [43.1%]; ARR [95% CI] 1.54 [1.29-1.83]), and lower education attainment (less than high school [59.6%] vs college graduate [42.8%]; ARR [95% CI] 1.46 [1.17-1.83]). Among physically inactive older adults with CIND, 61% were estimated to be capable of greater MVPA.

Conclusions: Although physical inactivity is prevalent among older adults with CIND, many are capable of greater MVPA. Developing tailored physical activity interventions for this vulnerable population may improve cognitive, health, and quality of life outcomes.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Disability; Physical activity; Physical function.

MeSH terms

Aged
Cognitive Dysfunction* / epidemiology
Dementia* / epidemiology
Dementia* / psychology
Exercise
Humans
Quality of Life
Sedentary Behavior

Abstract

MeSH terms

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