Beyond frailty: Mild cognitive impairment linked to slower gait speed

Gait is a fundamental activity of daily living and can reflect multiple aspects of physical and cognitive function in older individuals. Slower gait speed is commonly associated with frailty, a condition in which the body has a reduced ability to withstand stressors. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which involves a decline in cognitive function without a major loss of independence in daily activities, is also associated with slower gait. However, because frailty and MCI often occur together, it has remained unclear whether the association between MCI and gait speed is independent of physical function.

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