TITLE:
The Association between Self-Perceived Ageing and Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome in Community-Dwelling Older People
AUTHORS:
Cheng Huang, Ruifang Xiang, Xiaoqin Liu
KEYWORDS:
Self-Perceptions of Aging, Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome, Community-Dwelling, Older Adults
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
6,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Self-perceptions of aging (SPA)—multidimensional psychological constructs reflecting individuals’ attitudes toward aging—are emerging predictors of dementia risk. However, their associations with motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), a preclinical dementia marker combining subjective cognitive decline (SCC) and slow gait (SG), remain underexplored. This study aimed to identify specific SPA dimensions linked to MCR and its components in Chinese older adults. Methods: In this community-based cross-sectional study, 194 adults aged ≥ 60 years from Deyang City, China, completed the Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ) assessing five SPA dimensions. MCR was diagnosed per Verghese’s criteria. Multivariable logistic regression with Benjamini-Hochberg correction examined associations between SPA dimensions and MCR/SCC/SG. Results: The prevalence of MCR was 11.34% (mean age = 69.26 ± 7.45 years). After multiple testing corrections, the total SPA score, negative consequences and control, and emotional representations remained significant with MCR. Only the total SPA score retained significance with SCC. Emotional representations were the sole significant predictor for SG. Conclusions: This study highlights the crucial associations of SPA with MCR and its components. SPA, particularly perceptions of dependency (negative consequences and control) and aging-related distress (emotional representations), independently predicts MCR. Interventions targeting these dimensions may delay dementia onset.