Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine the association of number of bumps in a walking course with divided visual attention (Useful Field of View test) in a population-based sample of older adults. Methods: A population-based sample of 1505 persons between the ages of 72-92 were enrolled in the third round of SEE, 6 years following original enrollment. Divided visual attention was measured with the Useful Field of View test (UFOV), with higher scores representing increased attention impairment (range=[0,500]). Visual fields were measured with a Humphrey 81-point single-intensity screening program. An auditory test of attention was measured with the Brief Test of Attention. Mobility was measured as a participant’s ability to navigate a 32.8 m course: components included walking speed (travel time), and number of bumps made while walking. The course contained objects in the lower field of view (e.g. wastebasket, filing cabinet) as well as the upper field of view (e.g. hanging plant); participants were given instruction at the beginning of the course not to bump any objects. The association between number of bumps and divided attention was analyzed using a log-linear (poisson regression) multivariate model adjusting for age, gender, body mass, height, cognition (mini-mental state exam), general health status, travel time, visual fields, and auditory attention score. Results: Total number of bumps per person ranged from 0 to 17, with 56.7% of the participants having 0 bumps. An increase in UFOV of 100 points was associated with a 7.7% increase in the average number of bumps (p=0.0006), adjusting for all other factors. UFOV was not significantly associated with lower-field bumps after adjusting for visual field loss and score on the test of attention (p=0.09). Conclusion: Loss in UFOV was associated with increased number of bumps when walking, beyond associations with visual fields and a cognitive test of attention. The association was weaker for bumps in the lower field of view.
Keywords: 355 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: risk factor assessment • 309 aging • 585 space perception