Comorbidity, Cognition, Gait Speed, and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults

NCT07753421 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 2026-13/149
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional observational study aims to examine the associations of comorbidity burden and cognitive function with gait speed and respiratory muscle strength in community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older. The relationships of physical activity level and functional mobility with these outcomes will also be investigated. Participants will complete interview-based questionnaires, cognitive assessments, and non-invasive measurements of gait speed, functional mobility, handgrip strength, and respiratory muscle strength during a single study visit. The Strength, Assistance with walking, Rise from a chair, Climb stairs, and Falls (SARC-F) questionnaire will also be administered to provide descriptive information about possible sarcopenia risk; however, no diagnosis or classification of sarcopenia will be performed. No treatment or experimental intervention will be administered.

Conditions

Geriatrics; Older Adults (60 - 85 Years Old); Aging

Keywords

older adults; geriatrics; respiratory muscle strength; MIP; gait speed; cognition

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Maximal inspiratory pressure

  Maximal inspiratory pressure(MIP) will be measured in the seated position using a portable digital respiratory pressure measurement device. A nose clip will be used to prevent air leakage. At least three and no more than five maneuvers will be performed, with at least one minute of rest between maneuvers. The highest value sustained for at least one second will be recorded in centimeters of water pressure (cmH2O).

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

• Gait speed

  Gait Speed Assessed by the 4-Meter Walk Test: Gait speed will be assessed over a marked, unobstructed 4-meter walking course. Participants will be instructed to walk at their usual daily walking speed. The test will be performed three times, with rest provided between trials when needed. The best performance will be recorded as gait speed in meters per second (m/s). Higher values indicate faster gait speed.

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Maximal Expiratory Pressure

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

• Functional Mobility Assessed by the Timed Up and Go Test

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

• Handgrip Strength

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

Other Outcomes (4)

• Comorbidity Burden Assessed by the Charlson Comorbidity Index

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

• Cognitive Function with Montreal Cognitive Assessment

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

• Cognitive Function with Mini-Mental State Examination

  Single assessment during the study visit (Day 1)

Study Arms (1)

Older Adults

Community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older who will undergo assessments of comorbidity burden, cognitive function, physical activity level, gait speed, functional mobility, handgrip strength, and respiratory muscle strength during a single study visit. No intervention or treatment will be administered.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 60 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population will consist of community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and older who are able to communicate and complete the study assessments. Participants will be recruited from the community, if the required sample size cannot be reached, from older adult care centers after obtaining the necessary institutional permissions. All eligible participants will undergo the same questionnaires, cognitive assessments, and non-invasive physical and respiratory measurements during a single study visit.

You may qualify if:

• Aged 60 years or older
• Living in the community
• Able to communicate sufficiently to participate in the study assessments
• Willing and able to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cognitive impairment that prevents completion of the study assessments
• Presence of an acute infection at the time of assessment
• Severe cardiac failure
• Severe respiratory failure
• End-stage disease

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Acibadem University: lead
• Biruni University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Acıbadem University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (6)

• Simoes LA, Dias JM, Marinho KC, Pinto CL, Britto RR. [Relationship between functional capacity assessed by walking test and respiratory and lower limb muscle function in community-dwelling elders]. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2010 Jan-Feb;14(1):24-30. Portuguese.

  PMID: 20414558 BACKGROUND

• Montero-Odasso M, Verghese J, Beauchet O, Hausdorff JM. Gait and cognition: a complementary approach to understanding brain function and the risk of falling. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 Nov;60(11):2127-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2012.04209.x. Epub 2012 Oct 30.

  PMID: 23110433 BACKGROUND

• Enright PL, Kronmal RA, Manolio TA, Schenker MB, Hyatt RE. Respiratory muscle strength in the elderly. Correlates and reference values. Cardiovascular Health Study Research Group. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1994 Feb;149(2 Pt 1):430-8. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.149.2.8306041.

  PMID: 8306041 BACKGROUND

• Charlson ME, Pompei P, Ales KL, MacKenzie CR. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: development and validation. J Chronic Dis. 1987;40(5):373-83. doi: 10.1016/0021-9681(87)90171-8.

  PMID: 3558716 BACKGROUND

• Holtzer R, Verghese J, Xue X, Lipton RB. Cognitive processes related to gait velocity: results from the Einstein Aging Study. Neuropsychology. 2006 Mar;20(2):215-23. doi: 10.1037/0894-4105.20.2.215.

  PMID: 16594782 BACKGROUND

• American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. ATS/ERS Statement on respiratory muscle testing. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002 Aug 15;166(4):518-624. doi: 10.1164/rccm.166.4.518. No abstract available.

  PMID: 12186831 BACKGROUND

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 3, 2026
• First Posted: August 7, 2026
• Study Start: August 10, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2027
• Last Updated: August 7, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)