Associations between physical performance tests and affect in Asian community-dwelling older adults: a Cross-Sectional Analysis

Research Objectives: To investigate the associations between physical performance tests and affect in older Asian adults with different cognitive states.

Design: Five physical performance tests, namely Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), Fast Gait Speed (FGS), 30-second Chair Stand Test (CST), Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS) were investigated for associations with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). The results were also stratified according to cognitive status.

Setting: Community.

Participants: 993 older adults were recruited by convenience sampling around a Senior Activity Centre in central Singapore. Complete data was available for 858 individuals. Mean age and SD of participants were 67.55 ± 5.77 years, ranging from 60 to 88 years with the majority female. 78.7% were cognitively intact and 21.3% had Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI).

Interventions: Not applicable. This is a secondary analysis of a main study aiming to investigate the biopsychosocial profile of older adults.

Main Outcome Measures: Physical Performance Tests and Affect assessments (GDS and GAI)

Results: The mean and SD of physical performance tests scores were: TUG 9.49 ± 2.23, ranging from 3.39 to 21.88; FGS 3.65 ± 0.88, ranging from 1.48 to 10.28; 30s-CST 14.65 ± 4.61, ranging from 4 to 39; HGS 24.45 ± 7.83, ranging from 5.73 to 64.27. TUG and FGS, independently, had significant associations with GDS in cognitively normal older adults (β 0.124, 95% CI 0.041 to 0.145, p 0.000, R² change 0.418 and β 0.097, 95% CI 0.052 to 0.300, p 0.006, R² change 0.414 respectively). For those with MCI, there was no significant difference in the scores.

Conclusions: Physical performance tests (TUG and FGS scores, reflective of poorer lower body strength) were associated with depressive symptoms (GDS) only in cognitively normal older adults, and not older adults with MCI. Affective states should be considered in physical performance in older adults.

Author(s) Disclosures: Nil