Acute Effects of a Short Bout of Walking on Domain-Specific Cognition in Adults With Knee Replacement - Poster Session

Sep 28, 2026

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The study evaluates whether a feasible 6-minute walking bout produces immediate cognitive benefits in adults with recent total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Using randomized sequences with walking or rest first, participants completed brief phone-based assessments at baseline, right after each period, and between two treatment conditions. Outcomes included processing speed (symbol search), visuospatial memory (grid memory), and visual memory (color shapes). In 52 participants, walking improved visuospatial memory via shorter grid memory error distances, while processing speed and visual memory showed no significant walking effects.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study background

Rationale for short walking bouts

Methods

Participants and randomization

Cognitive assessments

Results

Visuospatial memory effects

Null effects on processing speed and visual memory

Discussion

Immediate benefits and open mechanisms

FAQs

Why focus on short bouts of walking after knee replacement?

Adults with TKR often remain physically inactive, and longer activity may be difficult due to reduced functioning. The study tests whether a shorter bout could be more feasible while lowering risk related to ADRD.

How was cognition measured in the study?

Cognition was assessed with brief phone-based tests at baseline and immediately after each period. Symbol search measured processing speed, grid memory measured visuospatial memory, and color shapes measured visual memory.

What cognitive domain improved after a 6-minute walk?

The 6-minute walk was associated with improved visuospatial memory, shown by shorter error distances on the grid memory test.

Did walking also improve processing speed or visual memory?

No. The walking effect was not observed for processing speed or visual memory based on the reported model estimates and p-values.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz