Mild cognitive decline leads to slower daily life gait velocity.

People with mild cognitive impairment have been shown to have slower gait velocity and greater stride length variability in laboratory-based gait. We have shown that daily life maximum gait velocity, as measured by a smartphone app, was slower in people with mild cognitive decline compared to cognitively healthy individuals. The daily life maximum gait velocity was significantly and weakly correlated with stride length variability in laboratory-based gait.

Why is it important?

Early detection of cognitive decline is important in dementia prevention. However, it is not easy to evaluate cognitive function, for example by having it tested by a physician or psychologist in a hospital. You may be able to detect early cognitive decline yourself by using a smartphone app to measure your daily life gait velocity.