# The Impact of Cognition on Rehabilitative Treatment for Slow Gait Speed

> **NIH VA IK1** · VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Slow walking and cognitive impairment are prevalent among aging Veterans and are independent predictors
for subsequent hospitalization, disability, and death. Recent scientific evidence suggests that walking and
cognition are interrelated whereby their declines may share a common underlying neurobiological pathology.
Thus, treating slow walking speed may not only improve mobility but also cognition. Live Long Walk Strong
(LLWS) is a new innovative rehabilitative care program targeting Veterans (≥50yrs) with slow walking speed.
LLWS treatment primarily focuses on mobility problems. However, it is estimated that 40% of LLWS
participants have manifested cognitive deficits; thus, it is uncertain whether current LLWS treatment is
designed to optimally serve the unique characteristics of Veterans who have cognitive problems. For example,
we do not know whether Veterans with cognitive challenges will adhere to the rehabilitative program. Likewise,
we are unsure whether the treatment response will be the same across cognitive status. Therefore, the study
objective is to understand the treatment adherence, compliance, and response among older Veterans with and
without cognitive problems participating in the LLWS clinical trial. The present study will 1) provide insight into
whether LLWS treatment needs to be modified to increase compliance and adherence, 2) examine the
association between baseline cognitive status and change in gait speed after LLWS treatment, and 3) discover
the influence of LLWS treatment on cognition. The long-term goal of this proposed Career Development
Award (CDA-1) is to advance research and educational training in order for the PI to establish an independent
line of research developing personalized rehabilitative treatment to maintain safe mobility and cognition among
aging Veterans with varying functional abilities. The PI previously was the study coordinator of a NIH
supported R21 exercise treatment study and later conducted her own feasibility and quasi-experimental
studies. Currently, she is mentored by Jonathan Bean, MD, MPH, a professor of PM&R at Harvard Medical
School and Director of New England GRECC at VA Boston Healthcare System. The short-term goals of this
CDA-1 are to acquire experience in 1) rehabilitation science, 2) mobility assessment and treatment, 3)
neuropsychological assessment and analysis, 4) personalized rehabilitation treatment (geriatric care
principles), and 5) research methods and grant writing skills to establish a strong foundation for a VA-research
career. The PI will use the combination of didactic coursework provided from a rich academic research
environment, hands-on research training, and mentorships from a team of experts who can offer extensive
knowledge and support her research. The proposed research is significant and innovative as it provides
information about how to tailor innovative rehabilitative care to better suit the individual needs of Veterans.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10417480
- **Project number:** 1IK1RX003636-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Elisa Ogawa
- **Activity code:** IK1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10417480

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10417480, The Impact of Cognition on Rehabilitative Treatment for Slow Gait Speed (1IK1RX003636-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10417480. Licensed CC0.

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