Dual-task decrements in gait: Contributing factors among healthy older adults

Background. The factors that contribute to the dual tasking (DT) changes in performance that occur when older adults walk while simultaneously performing other tasks are not well known. We hypothesized that cognitive and motor reserve (e.g., executive function [EF], postural control, and walking abi...

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Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2008-12, Vol.63 (12), p.1335-1343
Main Authors: Hausdorff, Jeffrey M, Schweiger, Avraham, Herman, Talia, Yogev-Seligmann, Galit, Giladi, Nir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attention - physiology
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive function
Cognitive Impairment Gait
Dual task
Executive function
Exercise
Female
Gait
Geriatric Assessment
Human performance
Humans
Male
Memory - physiology
Multivariate Analysis
Neuropsychological Tests
Older people
Task Performance and Analysis
Variability
Walking
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Summary:Background. The factors that contribute to the dual tasking (DT) changes in performance that occur when older adults walk while simultaneously performing other tasks are not well known. We hypothesized that cognitive and motor reserve (e.g., executive function [EF], postural control, and walking abilities) and affect (e.g., anxiety, depressive symptoms) influence the DT decrements (DTDs) in gait. Methods. Two hundred twenty-eight community-living, healthy older adults (mean: 76.2 ± 4.2 years; 59% women) walked with and without DT, for example, subtracting 7s and phoneme monitoring. Mobility (e.g., the Dynamic Gait Index), cognitive function (e.g., memory, EF), and affect (e.g., Geriatric Depression Scale) were quantified. Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with the DTD in gait speed (a general measure of locomotor function), swing time, (reflecting balance during gait), and swing time variability (a measure of stride-to-stride consistency). Results. Gait speed and swing time decreased (p
ISSN:1079-5006
1758-535X
DOI:10.1093/gerona/63.12.1335