Objective: Objective: To define whether attention or visuoexecutive functioning predict perceived walking difficulties (i.e. 3 years later) in people with PD.
Background: Background: A previous study identified global cognitive functioning as a predictive factor of changes in perceived walking difficulties in people with PD. Less is known regarding the effect of specific cognitive domains (such as attention or visuoexecutive functioning) on perceived walking difficulties.
Method: Methods: The data collection included baseline data of cognitive function (assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; MoCA, scored 0-30; higher=better) and 3-year follow-up data of perceived walking difficulties (assessed with the Generic Walk-12, scored 0-42; higher=more walking difficulties) from the longitudinal project “Home and health in people ageing with PD”. Participants: n=149 (34.2% women) with a mean age of 68.1 (SD±9.0) years and median PD duration of 8 (q1-q3 5-11) years at baseline. A multivariable linear regression analysis included Generic Walk-12 scores as the dependent variable and MoCA domain scores for attention (ranging 0-6) and visuoexecutive functioning (0-5) as independent variables. The domain scores were dichotomized: full score was coded as 0, and one or more incorrect responses was coded as 1. The model was controlled for age, sex and education (dichotomized; more than 9 years=1).
Results: Results: At baseline, the mean (SD) MoCA total score was 25.7 (±3.1) points. Neither attention nor visuoexecutive functioning were statistically significant in predicting perceived walking difficulties, when controlling for age, sex and educational level. Attention was the cognitive domain closest to significance (p=0.071; Unstandardized coefficient, B=3.703; 95% CI -0.327 to 7.74).
Conclusion: Conclusions: Our findings suggest that attention and visuoexecutive functioning do not predict perceived walking difficulties in people with PD. More studies are needed to confirm or reject these findings.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
M. Lindh-Rengifo, S. Jonasson, N. Mattsson-Carlgren, M. Nilsson. Can reduced attention or visuoexecutive functioning predict perceived walking difficulties in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD)? [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2021; 36 (suppl 1). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/can-reduced-attention-or-visuoexecutive-functioning-predict-perceived-walking-difficulties-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-pd/. Accessed May 19, 2025.« Back to MDS Virtual Congress 2021
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/can-reduced-attention-or-visuoexecutive-functioning-predict-perceived-walking-difficulties-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-pd/