title: Relationship between dual task walking, cognition, and depression in oldest old people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between dual task walking, cognition, and depression in oldest old people living in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an observational cross-sectional study at Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil). We assessed 67 community-dwelling older adults aged 80 years and over, who were able to walk alone and did not present with a risk of dementia (assessed by Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE). The assessment consisted of anamnesis, dual task using the Timed Up and Go test associated with a motor task (TUGT-motor) and a cognitive task (TUGT-cognitive); cognitive measures using MMSE, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing test (CDT) and verbal fluency, and depressive measures by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a correlation with higher magnitude between cognitive tests and TUGT-cognitive, compared to TUGT-motor. For TUGT-motor, the highest correlations with cognitive tests were found between time and MMSE, MoCA (total score), and MoCA visuospatial/executive domain. For TUGT-cognitive, the highest correlations with cognitive tests were between number of steps and MMSE and between time and MMSE. GDS showed a significant weak correlation with number of steps taken in TUGT-motor, wrong words, and correct/time of TUGT-cognitive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dual task performances are associated with cognition in oldest old. Furthermore, dual task tests have less influence of educational level, are functional, fast, and easily applicable in clinical practice. Future studies are needed to confirm if dual task test is useful for cognitive screening in oldest old.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Physiotherapy,Federal University of São Carlos,São Carlos,Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Hotta
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ansai
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Physiotherapy,Federal University of São Carlos,São Carlos,Brazil.
authors.forename: Thais Rabiatti
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Aurichio
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program of Physiotherapy,Federal University of São Carlos,São Carlos,Brazil.
authors.forename: José Rubens
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Rebelatto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001938:Brazil; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking
keywords: aged 80 years and over; analysis of task performance; gait; mental processes