The Effects on Gait of 4-Wheeled Walker Use in People with Alzheimer's Disease Dementia and Gait Impairment: A Pilot Study

Authors

Humberto Omaña, University of Western OntarioFollow
Edward Madou, University of Western OntarioFollow
Susan W. Hunter, Western UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-13-2022

Journal

Journal of Alzheimer's disease

Volume

89

Issue

2

First Page

399

Last Page

404

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.3233/JAD-220331

Abstract

In people with dementia, provision of mobility aids is standard treatment for those with impaired gait. However, mobility aid use is independently associated with increased falls risk. In this short communication, gait velocity and stride time variability were recorded in eleven adults with Alzheimer's disease dementia. Three conditions were tested: single-task (no aid), walking with a walker, and dual-task (walker use and counting backwards) under both a straight path and Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Gait velocity increased when using a walker compared to no aid in the Figure-of-8 walking configuration. Walker use improved gait in simple walking, but benefits diminished upon dual-task.

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