Study of Walking Adaptation Difficulties in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimers Disease Effect of Split-Belt Treadmill Training on Walking and Cognitive Function

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how Mild Cognitive Impairment MCI and Alzheimers Disease AD affect locomotor adaptation, a key ability that helps people adjust their walking to changing environments. This research focuses on understanding the link between cognitive decline and walking difficulties, which can increase fall risk and reduce quality of life in older adults. The study aims to explore how reduced locomotor adaptation may worsen cognitive-motor function and mobility in people with MCI and AD. The study involves two parts first, observing walking function in people with MCI, AD, and age-matched controls second, a clinical trial where 10 participants 5 with MCI and 5 with AD complete five split-belt treadmill walking sessions over two weeks. This treadmill allows each leg to walk at different speeds, helping researchers measure locomotor adaptation through controlled walking exercises that include baseline, split-belt, and post-split-belt phases. Participants will be evaluated with tests before and after the training sessions, including walking speed and distance tests, cognitive assessments, and tasks measuring memory and attention. Researchers will monitor changes in walking symmetry, adaptation speed, cognitive scores, and fall history to better understand the impact of locomotor adaptation training. The study begins with a baseline evaluation and finishes with a post-training assessment after two weeks of intervention.

Locomotion Adaptation Deficits in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimers Disease