Functional Living in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Executive Functioning, Dual Task Performance, and the Impact on Postural Stability and Motor Control. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Michael A.; Else, Jane E.; Paul, Lorna; Foster, Jonathan K.; Walker, Mark; Wesnes, Keith A.; Riby, Leigh M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 26:Number 5(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 841
• Page End: 859
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: type 2 diabetes -- dual tasking -- postural stability -- functional living -- executive functioning; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264314534896
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) experience accelerated age-related decline in some domains of cognition. The present study sought to investigate executive functioning and dual tasking capacities in this group.Method: Older adults with DM2 and age-matched controls completed self-report measures assessing everyday activities, a comprehensive cognitive battery and more specific tasks assessing executive functioning, dual tasking, postural stability, and motor control.Results: Executive abilities were particularly compromised in the participants with DM2. Furthermore, the DM2 group exhibited reduced postural stability under dual task conditions.Discussion: These findings suggest that deficits in more complex cognitive activities underlie the decline in everyday function in DM2.