Yvonne C Learmonth1, Brian M Sandroff1, Lara A Pilutti1, Rachel E Klaren1, Ipek Ensari1, Barry J Riskin1, Roee Holtzer2, Robert W Motl3. 1. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL. 2. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY. 3. Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL. Electronic address: robmotl@illinois.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine cognitive motor interference (CMI) during walking using a simple, standardized, and well-refined alphabet dual-task (DT) paradigm in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) in whom cognitive and walking impairment often co-occur. DESIGN: A single time point, cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university clinical laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with MS (N=61; mean age ± SD, 50.8±9.3 y) performed 4 walking trials over a 4.6-m walkway to determine gait parameters. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait parameters were assessed over 4 walking trials. The first 2 walks involved the single task (ST) of walking only; the second 2 walks involved participants performing the DT of reciting alternate letters of the alphabet while walking. The gait parameters recorded during the ST and DT walks were used to compute a dual-task cost (DTC) of walking (% change in gait parameter between ST and DT walks) as a metric of CMI. RESULTS: Our multivariate analysis with univariate follow-ups indicated CMI during walking based on slower velocity (ηp(2)=.59; F=84.6; P<.001) and cadence (ηp(2)=.46; F=51.6; P<.001), shorter step length (ηp(2)=.38; F=36; P<.001), and increased step time (ηp(2)=.34; F=31; P<.001) and double-support time (ηp(2)=.31; F=27.3; P<.001) in DT versus ST conditions. The DTC of walking for the gait parameters was not correlated with clinical (disability, disease duration) and demographic (eg, education, age) factors (all |r|≤.240). CONCLUSIONS: The alphabet DT paradigm is easily administered and well refined. We highlight its ability and acceptability to determine CMI during walking in people with MS, independent of disease status.
OBJECTIVE: To examine cognitive motor interference (CMI) during walking using a simple, standardized, and well-refined alphabet dual-task (DT) paradigm in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) in whom cognitive and walking impairment often co-occur. DESIGN: A single time point, cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university clinical laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with MS (N=61; mean age ± SD, 50.8±9.3 y) performed 4 walking trials over a 4.6-m walkway to determine gait parameters. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gait parameters were assessed over 4 walking trials. The first 2 walks involved the single task (ST) of walking only; the second 2 walks involved participants performing the DT of reciting alternate letters of the alphabet while walking. The gait parameters recorded during the ST and DT walks were used to compute a dual-task cost (DTC) of walking (% change in gait parameter between ST and DT walks) as a metric of CMI. RESULTS: Our multivariate analysis with univariate follow-ups indicated CMI during walking based on slower velocity (ηp(2)=.59; F=84.6; P<.001) and cadence (ηp(2)=.46; F=51.6; P<.001), shorter step length (ηp(2)=.38; F=36; P<.001), and increased step time (ηp(2)=.34; F=31; P<.001) and double-support time (ηp(2)=.31; F=27.3; P<.001) in DT versus ST conditions. The DTC of walking for the gait parameters was not correlated with clinical (disability, disease duration) and demographic (eg, education, age) factors (all |r|≤.240). CONCLUSIONS: The alphabet DT paradigm is easily administered and well refined. We highlight its ability and acceptability to determine CMI during walking in people with MS, independent of disease status.
Authors: Pierfilippo De Sanctis; Brenda R Malcolm; Peter C Mabie; Ana A Francisco; Wenzhu B Mowrey; Sonja Joshi; Sophie Molholm; John J Foxe Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2020-02-21 Impact factor: 3.708
Authors: Gioella Chaparro; Julia M Balto; Brian M Sandroff; Roee Holtzer; Meltem Izzetoglu; Robert W Motl; Manuel E Hernandez Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2017-06-29 Impact factor: 4.262
Authors: Anthony Feinstein; Maria Pia Amato; Giampaolo Brichetto; Jeremy Chataway; Nancy Chiaravalloti; Ulrik Dalgas; John DeLuca; Peter Feys; Massimo Filippi; Jennifer Freeman; Cecilia Meza; Matilde Inglese; Robert W Motl; Maria Assunta Rocca; Brian M Sandroff; Amber Salter; Gary Cutter Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2020-05-22 Impact factor: 2.474