Gait Speed Is Associated with Cognitive Function among Older Adults with HIV

Objectives:To determine links between objectively and subjectively measured physical function and cognitive function among HIV-positive older adults, a growing yet understudied group with elevated risk for multimorbidity.Methods:At a biomedical research visit, 162 participants completed objective tests of gait speed (4-m walk), grip strength (dynamometer), and cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) and reported their well-being (Medical Outcomes Study-HIV survey).Results:Those with faster gait speed had better overall cognitive function than those with slower gait speed (b= 3.98,SE= 1.30,p= .003) in an adjusted regression model controlling for age, sex, race, height, preferred language, and assistive device use. Grip strength was not significantly associated with overall cognitive function. Self-rated cognitive function was weakly related to MoCA scores (r= .26) and gait speed (r= .14) but was strongly associated with emotional well-being (r= .53).Discussion:These observed, expected connections between physical and cognitive function could inform intervention strategies to mitigate age-related declines for older adults with HIV.