A influência das funções executivas, da memória, da velocidade de processamento e do sexo, na capacidade funcional, no envelhecimento saudável

Abstract

Introduction: Functional capacity allows the individual to perform activities of dailyliving, independently and autonomously, in society. Executive functions, memory andprocessing speed can influence the ability of individuals to remain independent in activitiesof daily living. The performance of these activities, may also vary, depending on gender.It was intended to explore the relationship between executive functions, memory,processing speed and functional capacity, in healthy aging, to ascertain whether functionalcapacity varies according to sex and to study the applicability of UPSA-2, in the assessmentof functional capacity, in the healthy population, aged 60 or over.Methodology: The convenience sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 65elderly people, cognitively healthy, aged between 60 and 92 years. Executive functionswere assessed using TMT (B-A/A), Stroop and Phonological Verbal Fluency, memorythrough Logical Memory II and processing speed through TMT-A. Functional capacitywas assessed using UPSA-2. Correlation analyzes, linear regressions and meanscomparison tests were performed.Results: There was a significant relationship between functional performance and episodicmemory, processing speed and executive functions, namely, phonological verbal fluency,showing predictive power in functional capacity. Memory proved to be the biggestsignificant predictor of functional capacity, compared to the other cognitive domains,explaining 55.8% of the variation in the performance of UPSA-2. There were no significant differences between genders, in the total performance of UPSA-2. Conclusion: This study made it possible to elucidate the importance of cognitive mechanisms for carrying out activities of daily living, in their entirety, providing evidencefor the importance of adopting cognitive stimulation programs, focused on preventing functional decline. It also provided a proof of concept with support for the viability and clinical utility of UPSA-2, in the assessment of functional capacity, in the elderly population

Date of Award	21 Dec 2020
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Filipa Ribeiro (Supervisor)