Slower cognitive reaction time is associated with higher levels of frailty

Slower cognitive reaction time is associated with higher levels of frailty

Frailty is a syndrome that results from the age-related decline of multiple organ systems. A new study conducted at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, shows that slower reaction time and lower response accuracy in cognitive tasks are associated with higher levels of frailty. It is noteworthy that this connection can be detected as early as late middle age in people aged 57 to 70 years.

Frailty is associated with several adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of falls, increased need for hospitalization, and increased mortality.

“Our results showed that slower reaction time on cognitive tasks was associated with higher levels of frailty in late midlife in adults aged 57 to 70,” says postdoctoral researcher Anna Tirkkonen from the Gerontological Research Center and the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. “In terms of answer accuracy, the relationship was observed in all participants and particularly in women.”

“We also found that only reaction accuracy – but not reaction time – was associated with the development of frailty,” adds Tirkkonen. “Furthermore, the association depended on which specific area of ​​cognitive function was examined.”

The results complement previous findings and highlight the association between cognitive function and frailty in a younger age group than typically studied.

Our results suggest that these relationships are already visible in late midlife and that they vary depending on gender and the particular cognitive domain and trait assessed.”

Anna Tirkkonen, Gerontological Research Center and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä

The study was carried out in collaboration with the Universities of Jyväskylä and Tampere and the Folkhälsan Research Center. Data from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study were used.

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