Citation

Smith MA, Else JE, Paul L, Foster JK, Walker M, Wesnes KA, Riby LM. J. Aging Health 2014; 26(5): 841-859.

Affiliation

Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK leigh.riby@northumbria.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264314534896

PMID

24898849

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) experience accelerated age-related decline in some domains of cognition. The present study sought to investigate executive functioning and dual tasking capacities in this group.

METHOD: Older adults with DM2 and age-matched controls completed self-report measures assessing everyday activities, a comprehensive cognitive battery and more specific tasks assessing executive functioning, dual tasking, postural stability, and motor control.

RESULTS: Executive abilities were particularly compromised in the participants with DM2. Furthermore, the DM2 group exhibited reduced postural stability under dual task conditions.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that deficits in more complex cognitive activities underlie the decline in everyday function in DM2.

Language: en