Characteristics of transitional locomotor tasks performed by patients with dementia

Elderly individuals may be at increased risk of falls than their peers. Early identification of balance disorders and their appropriate intervention are crucial for patients with dementia. The aim of this study was to identify postural instability in patients from mild to moderate dementia while performing transitional locomotor tasks under different conditions. Fifty-four patients with dementia and 30 healthy controls voluntarily participated in the study. The transitional locomotor task was performed on two force platforms under four conditions: unimpeded transition, obstacle clearance, step-up and step-down trials. The recording of center of foot pressure displacements was divided into three distinct phases: 1st phase—quiet standing before the transitional locomotor task, 2nd phase—forward stepping, 3rd phase—quiet standing after the transitional locomotor task. Patients with dementia were characterized by a longer transitional locomotor task time than the control group under all conditions ( P