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Accidental falls

Gait Abnormalities Linked to Cognitive Decline and Fall Risk in Dementia Patients

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Recent research conducted at the University of Bristol has shed light on the association between gait parameters and cognitive decline in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The study enrolled 63 DLB patients and found that gait abnormalities, particularly reduced gait speed and gait asymmetry, are markers of cognitive decline and increased fall risk. The research also revealed that patients with a history of falls demonstrated more pronounced gait deterioration, with a significant reduction in stride length and prolongation in swing time.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gait speed showed significant positive correlations with MoCA score (p = 0.001) and stride length (p = 0.003), and a positive correlation with MMSE score (p = 0.005).
  • Gait symmetry was weakly positively correlated with MMSE score (p = 0.027).
  • Patients with MoCA scores below 20 exhibited a 22% reduction in gait speed (p = 0.002), shortened stride length (p = 0.001), decreased gait symmetry (p = 0.034), and prolonged swing time (p = 0.021) compared to those with higher scores.
  • Logistic regression analysis revealed that for each 1 standard deviation decrease in gait speed, fall risk increased by 33% (p = 0.001).
  • For each 1-cm decrease in stride length, fall risk increased by 21% (p = 0.025).
  • For each 1-unit decrease in gait symmetry, fall risk increased by 28% (p = 0.007).
  • Patients with a history of falls demonstrated more pronounced gait deterioration, with a significant reduction in stride length and prolongation in swing time.
  • The research concluded that gait abnormalities are associated with cognitive decline, and reduced gait speed and gait asymmetry are markers of cognitive decline and increased fall risk in patients with established DLB.

Statistics:

  • 63 DLB patients were enrolled in the study.
  • 22% reduction in gait speed in patients with MoCA scores below 20 (p = 0.002).
  • 13% reduction in stride length in patients with more than 2 falls (p = 0.011).
  • 12% prolongation in swing time in patients with more than 2 falls (p = 0.022).
  • 33% increase in fall risk for each 1 standard deviation decrease in gait speed (p = 0.001).
  • 21% increase in fall risk for each 1-cm decrease in stride length (p = 0.025).
  • 28% increase in fall risk for each 1-unit decrease in gait symmetry (p = 0.007).

Sources:

  • Gait characteristics and factors associated with fall risk in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Frontiers in Neurology, 2025;16:1670016.
  • NewsRx. Reports from University of Bristol Highlight Recent Findings in Dementia (Gait characteristics and factors associated with fall risk in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 782.

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