Health

Poor balance a flag for cognitive decline among Alzheimer's patients

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 23, 2009

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Alzheimer's patients who are unable to stand on one leg for at least five seconds are more likely to already have advanced dementia. They also tend to have a higher rate of cognitive decline after two years, according to a paper in the March Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

"Our results reinforce ... the growing evidence suggesting a link between physical performance and cognitive decline," said Dr. Yves Rolland, lead author and professor at the University of Toulouse III, France.

Researchers analyzed data on 686 Alzheimer's patients who were not living in institutions.

After two years, those with good balance experienced an average decline in their Mini-Mental Status Examination of 3.8 points. Those with poor balance lost 9.2 points.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/03/23/hlbf0323.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn