Mobility impairment is associated with reduced microstructural integrity of the inferior and superior cerebellar peduncles in elderly with no clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction.

While the cerebellum plays a critical role in motor coordination and control no studies have investigated its involvement in idiopathic mobility impairment in community-dwelling elderly. In this study we tested the hypothesis that structural changes in the cerebellar peduncles not detected by conventional magnetic resonance imaging are associated with reduced mobility performance. The analysis involved eighty-five subjects (age range: 75-90 years) who had no clinical signs of cerebellar dysfunction.

Randomized controlled trial comparing tailoring methods of multimedia-based fall prevention education for community-dwelling older adults.

Objective: We attempted to determine whether multimedia fall prevention education using different instructional strategies increases older adults' knowledge of fall threats and their fall prevention behaviors.

Method: Fifty-three community-dwelling older adults were randomized to iwo educational groups or a control group. Multimedia-based educational interventions to increase fall threats knowledge and encourage fall prevention behaviors had two tailoring strategies: (1) improve content realism for individual learners (authenticity group) and (2) highlight program goals and benefits while using participants' content selections (motivation group).

Mobility assessment: sensitivity and specificity of measurement sets in older adults.

Objective: To identify quantitative measurement variables that characterize mobility in older adults, meet reliability and validity criteria, distinguish fall risk, and predict future falls.

Design: Observational study with 1-year weekly falls follow-up.

Setting: Mobility laboratory.

Effect of gender on communication of health information to older adults.

Objectives: To examine the effect of gender on three key elements of communication with elderly individuals: effectiveness of the communication, perceived relevance to the individual, and effect of gender-stereotyped content.

Design: Survey.

Setting: University of Connecticut Health Center.

Accrual of MRI white matter abnormalities in elderly with normal and impaired mobility.

White matter signal abnormality (WMSA) is often present in the MRIs of older persons with mobility impairment. We examined the relationship between impaired mobility and the progressive accrual of WMSA. Mobility was assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and quantitative measures of gait and balance.