Examining the Association between Life-Space Mobility and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

• Main Authors: Nileththi A. De Silva, Michael A. Gregory, Shree S. Venkateshan, Chris P. Verschoor, Ayse Kuspinar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Aging Research
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/3923574
• ISSN: 2090-2204; 2090-2212

Purpose. The purpose of this review is to investigate the relationship between life-space mobility and cognition in older adults. Methods. MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched through December 2018 for studies containing measures of life-space mobility and cognitive function. Two independent reviewers screened studies. Eligible studies were combined using a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2. Results. Thirty-five articles were identified for review. A moderate and statistically significant association (pooled r = 0.30, 95% confidence interval 0.19 to 0.40.) was observed between life-space mobility and cognition among nine studies. Life-space mobility demonstrated small-to-moderate associations with domain-specific cognitive functioning, particularly executive function, learning, memory, and processing speed. Furthermore, individuals who had restricted life-space mobility (Life-Space Assessment ≤ 40) experienced a steeper decline in cognition (β = 0.56 and p = 0.0471) compared to those who did not (Life-Space Assessment ≥ 41). Conclusion. This review examined the association between life-space mobility and cognitive function in older adults. The results suggest that a moderate relationship between life-space mobility and cognition exists, whether adjusted or unadjusted for covariates such as sociodemographics, mental health, functional capacity, and comorbidities.