Abstract

SALAZAR-GONZALEZ, Bertha Cecilia; VALDEZ-ESPARZA, Gricelda; CRUZ-QUEVEDO, Juana Edith  and  GALLEGOS-CABRIALES, Esther C.. Attentional demandas, capacity to direct attention and physical performance in elders. Index Enferm [online]. 2009, vol.18, n.2, pp.85-89. ISSN 1699-5988.

Objective. Characterize cognitive and physical performance in relation to attentional demands of elders attending day care centers from Monterrey, Mexico. Methodology: The design was descriptive, 103 participants were selected (Mean age = 70.38 years; SD = 8.45) dementia and alcoholism free verified through the Mini Mental State Examination (Spanish) and CAGE. The Attentional Demands Survey, three cognitive tests and two of physical performance were applied. Results: More age was related to more environmental and informational demands and worse cognitive and physical performance. Women perceived more attentional demandas than men and elders who perceived more attentional demands showed worse cognitive function and physical performance. Conclusions: Perception of attentional demands is negatively related to cognitive and physical performance.

Keywords : attentional demands; cognitive performance; physical performance; elders.