Association between perceived occupational performance and satisfaction and balance,gait,and fear of falling in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

Introduction:

Mild cognitive impairment impairs activities of daily living, independence and social participation in older adults. This study investigated the association between perceived occupational performance and balance, gait and fear of falling in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Method:

The study included 36 older adults over the age of 65 with mild cognitive impairment . Balance and gait of the older adults were assessed with the Tinetti balance and gait test, fear of falling with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia and occupational performance with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The relationship between Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and other parameters was analysed by Spearmen’s test.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 75.13 ± 6.92 years. There was a moderate positive correlation between the satisfaction parameter of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Tinetti gait test (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and the Tinetti total score (r = 0.41, p < 0.05). There was no relationship between the other parameters.

Conclusion:

Current findings suggest that older adults with mild cognitive impairment have different perceptions of activities of daily living and that gait problems of individuals with mild cognitive impairment affect perceived occupational satisfaction more than balance and fear of falling.

Clinical Trial Number: NCT06513325