Using GPS Technologies to Examine Community Mobility in Older Adults

Abstract Background Objective measures of community mobility are advantageous for capturing movement outside the home. Compared with subjective, self-reported techniques, global positioning system (GPS) technologies leverage passive, real-time location data to reduce recall bias and increase measure...

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Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2023-05, Vol.78 (5), p.811-820
Main Authors: Crane, Breanna M, Moored, Kyle D, Rosso, Andrea L, Carlson, Michelle C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Editor's Choice
Executive Function
Gait
Geographic Information Systems
Global positioning systems
GPS
Humans
Independent Living
Mobility
Mobility Limitation
Older people
THE JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY: Medical Sciences
Walking
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Summary:Abstract Background Objective measures of community mobility are advantageous for capturing movement outside the home. Compared with subjective, self-reported techniques, global positioning system (GPS) technologies leverage passive, real-time location data to reduce recall bias and increase measurement precision. We developed methods to quantify community mobility among community-dwelling older adults and assessed how GPS-derived indicators relate to clinical measures of physical and cognitive performance. Methods Participants (n = 149; M ± standard deviation [SD] = 77.1 ± 6.5 years) from the program to improve mobility in aging (PRIMA) study, a physical therapy intervention to improve walking ability, carried a GPS device for 7 days. Community mobility was characterized by assessing activity space, shape, duration, and distance. Associations between GPS-derived indicators and cognition and physical function were evaluated using Spearman correlations. Results In adjusted models, a larger activity space, greater duration (eg, time out-of-home), and greater distance traveled from home were correlated with better 6-Minute Walk Test performance (ρ = 0.17–0.23, p’s < .05). A more circular activity shape was related to poorer performance on the Trail Making Test, Part A (ρ = 0.18, p < .05). More time out-of-home and a larger activity space were correlated with faster times on the Trail Making Test, Part B (ρ = −0.18 to −0.24, p’s < .05). Community mobility measures were not associated with global cognition, skilled walking, or usual gait speed. Conclusion GPS-derived community mobility indicators capture real-world activity among older adults and were correlated with clinical measures of executive function and walking endurance. These findings will guide the design of future interventions to promote community mobility.
ISSN:1079-5006
1758-535X
DOI:10.1093/gerona/glac185