Background/Purpose: The majority of adults with knee replacement remain physically inactive after surgery and are at high risk for Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD). This study investigated the acute effects of a 6-minute walk on processing speed, visuospatial memory, and visual memory in adults with a history of TKR ≤6 months ago.

Methods: Within a cross-over design, participants were randomized to either first engage in the 6-minute walk test or rest. Cognition was assessed via brief phone-based tests 3 times (baseline and after walking and resting). Symbol search, grid memory, and color shape tests from the NIH Mobile Toolbox were used to measure processing speed, visuospatial memory, and visual memory, respectively.

Results: Participants (n=52) were 77% female, 65.1 (9.1) years, 85% completed some college or higher, and were on average 94.1 (21.7) days since knee replacement. Participants walked 1126.67 (205.69) feet during 6-minute walk test. Controlling for demographics and potential learning effects, mixed-effects models revealed that 6 minutes of walking was associated with improved visuospatial memory, as indicated by shorter error distances on the grid memory test (b=-3.87, p=0.04). The walking effect was not observed for processing speed (b=178.8, p=0.45) or visual memory (b=0.01, p=0.92).

Conclusion: Although the physiological mechanisms to which exercise benefits domain-specific cognition remain unclear, the results of this study suggest that a short bout of walking may immediately improve visuospatial memory in adults with knee replacement. Healthcare providers could highlight this cognitive benefit and encourage short walking bouts in this population.  

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/effects-of-walking-during-the-6-minute-walk-test-on-cognition-in-adults-with-knee-replacement/