Improvement in gait velocity variability after cerebrospinal fluid elimination and its relationship to clinical symptoms in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus

Abstract

AimThis study aimed to investigate the improvement in gait velocity variability after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) elimination, and the association between gait velocity variability and gait and cognitive impairment in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.MethodsThe gait velocity of 44 patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus was measured using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) for a total of 10 times over 3 days each before and after CSF elimination. The coefficient of variation (CV) in the time required for the sequence of actions in TUG (TUG‐CV) was calculated using 10 TUG data, and used for measuring intraindividual gait velocity variability. Gait quality was evaluated with the Gait Status Scale Revised (GSSR), and cognitive function was evaluated with the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Frontal Assessment Battery.ResultsThe TUG, TUG‐CV, GSSR and Frontal Assessment Battery results improved significantly after CSF elimination. The analyses using pre‐CSF elimination results showed that the TUG‐CV significantly and positively correlated with the TUG and GSSR results, and negatively with Mini‐Mental State Examination results, but not with age and the Frontal Assessment Battery results. The stepwise multiple regression analysis indicates that the TUG, GSSR and Mini‐Mental State Examination results were significant predictors of the TUG‐CV. The analysis using data of change after CSF elimination showed that ΔTUG and ΔGSSR were significant predictors of ΔTUG‐CV.ConclusionsGait velocity variability improved after CSF elimination, and gait velocity variability was associated with gait disturbances and cognitive impairment in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 693–699.