Walking Speed and Hand Grip in Middle Age Associated with Dementia

Researchers say that looking at how fast an older patient walks and how strong the person's grip is may help doctors predict who is at risk for age-related dementia.

Researchers at Boston Medical Center tested the walking speed, hand grip strength, and cognitive function of more than 2,400 people, who had an average age of 62. The participants also underwent brain scans.

The study participants were followed for 11 years. In that time, 34 people developed dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and 70 had a stroke.

Slower walk, higher risk

People who had a slower walking speed at the start of the study were 1.5 times more likely to develop dementia than those with a faster walking speed.

People ages 65 and older who had stronger hand grip strength at the start of the study had a 42 percent lower risk for stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) than those with weaker hand grip strength.

Researchers did not see this difference in people younger than 65.

"Further research is needed to understand why this is happening and whether preclinical disease could cause slow walking and decreased strength," says study author Erica Camargo, M.D.

Smaller volume

Dr. Camargo and her colleagues also found that people with a slower walking speed had less total cerebral brain volume and performed poorly on memory, language and decision-making tests. Those with a stronger hand grip had larger total cerebral brain volume and better results on brain functioning tests.

Experts say the study findings might be valuable in assessing patient risk of developing dementia in later life.

"It is unclear why there is such a correlation between walking speed and hand grip on these disease processes," says Suzanne Steinbaum, M.D., at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. "Yet they are two simple tests that can give us a pre-clinical clue as to what we might expect, and enable us to implement prevention."

The study is to be presented at an upcoming meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Always talk with your health care provider to find out more information.