Physical and mental impairments are reductions in bodily function and in cognitive or psychological capacity that limit a person's ability to perform daily activities, and they become increasingly prevalent with advancing age. Physical impairments include loss of muscle strength, mobility, balance, and sensory funct…
Physical and mental impairments are reductions in bodily function and in cognitive or psychological capacity that limit a person's ability to perform daily activities, and they become increasingly prevalent with advancing age. Physical impairments include loss of muscle strength, mobility, balance, and sensory function, while mental impairments encompass declines in memory, executive function, mood, and overall cognitive performance; the two frequently coexist and interact, compounding disability. In the context of ageing, these impairments arise from the biological processes of senescence together with chronic conditions, and they are closely linked to frailty, falls, and loss of independence. Research relevant to this field examines osteoarthritis and its physical and psychological consequences in older adults, including depression, loneliness, and social isolation, and the contributions of impaired balance and falls to functional decline. Related work addresses the role of vitamin D in falls and balance capacity, the impact of frailty and immune ageing, and the influence of social factors such as isolation on the well-being of older people. Assessment of impairment underpins rehabilitation, supportive care, and strategies to enhance coping, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Study of the field spans the mechanisms and risk factors for age-related decline, the interaction between physical and cognitive impairment, and interventions that preserve function and independence.
9 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
The 9 articles above have been cited 20 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Physical and Mental Impairments, linking to each citing work.