Guest Editorial: Linking Thinking, Walking, and Falling

Abstract

The paper presents the mechanisms underlying the link between cognition, gait, and the potential for falls. Declines in attention, psychomotor processing, problem solving, and awareness of self and surroundings apparently have the biggest impact on postural control, gait, and falls. The influence of executive function on gait and balance can be seen beyond healthy older adults and in more diverse older adult community dwellers and patient groups with cognitive impairments. Future studies are needed to assess where and when cognitive function becomes more prominent in determining walking performance, particularly during more challenging walking activities, as well as the physiological substrates that link walking, thinking, and falling. A more complete understanding of this link should also, ultimately, enhance our ability to optimize treatment of impairments in cognitive function and walking and thus reduce the risk of falls among older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)