A slowed gait combined with a weakened grip could be early indicators of dementia before the onset of noticeable symptoms, according to Monash University researchers.

The study, Combination of gait speed and grip strength to predict cognitive decline and dementia, revealed that a slow walking speed combined with weak hand grip was a stronger predictor of cognitive decline and dementia in older adults than either measure alone.

The study analysed data from more than 18,000 initially healthy adults, mostly over 70, as part of the ASPREE trial. The results revealed that a combined poor gait speed and grip strength was linked to a 79 per cent increased risk of dementia and a 43 per cent increased risk of cognitive decline.

Participants’ grip strength and gait speed were measured upon entry to the ASPREE trial and repeated for an average of 4.7 years. Gait speed was timed by walking at normal pace over a distance of three metres, while grip strength was assessed using a hand-held device to measure force.

Researchers then compared these physical benchmarks against participants’ cognition, using assessments that examine functions such as memory and processing speed.

The findings accounted for age, gender, education, ethnicity/race, starting cognitive level, depression, smoking, alcohol, living situation and diabetes.

The risk for dementia or cognitive decline was highest when gait and grip declined concurrently over the study period of nearly five years, with an 89 per cent increased risk of dementia and 55 per cent increased risk of cognitive decline.
 
During the ASPREE trial, 2773 participants developed cognitive decline and 558 dementia.

The findings have significant implications for diagnosis, early intervention and treatment, as worldwide predictions indicate dementia will almost triple in three decades, from 57.4 million (in 2019) to 152.8 million (by 2050).

Lead author Dr Suzanne Orchard, a Senior Research Fellow with Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the research showed an important link between age-related cognitive and physical decline.

“Poor physical function may be a marker of future risk of cognitive decline and dementia, and thus, understanding this association could enhance early detection and prevention strategies.”

GPs and other healthcare providers could adopt simple grip strength and gait speed assessments to help identify dementia risk early and establish treatment pathways to improve patient outcomes, said Dr Orchard.

“While there are currently no cures for dementia, if identified early, treatment strategies can be implemented to slow its progression and manage the symptoms.”