Haidzir Manaf1, Maria Justine1, Goh Hui Ting2, Lydia Abd Latiff2. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia. 2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of attentional loading on performance of turning during walking in individuals with stroke. OBJECTIVE: The authors used a cross-sectional experimental design to compare gait parameters in stroke survivors across 3 attentional loading conditions (single, dual-motor, and dual-cognitive conditions) during a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. METHODS: Data were collected from 20 stroke survivors (12 males, 8 females; mean age, 60.5 ± 10.6 years). We compared the number of steps and time measured during the TUG test under 3 attentional loading conditions and 2 turning directions (nonparetic and paretic sides). We further divided the TUG test into straight walking and turning phases. RESULTS: The number of steps and the time taken during TUG test increased significantly from single- to dual-task conditions (dual motor and dual cognitive). However, there were no significant differences in gait parameters between turning toward the nonparetic and paretic sides. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that gait performance was compromised during dual-task conditions for individuals with stroke. Attentional loading may be incorporated into routine gait assessment and rehabilitation to ensure a successful recovery.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of attentional loading on performance of turning during walking in individuals with stroke. OBJECTIVE: The authors used a cross-sectional experimental design to compare gait parameters in stroke survivors across 3 attentional loading conditions (single, dual-motor, and dual-cognitive conditions) during a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. METHODS: Data were collected from 20 stroke survivors (12 males, 8 females; mean age, 60.5 ± 10.6 years). We compared the number of steps and time measured during the TUG test under 3 attentional loading conditions and 2 turning directions (nonparetic and paretic sides). We further divided the TUG test into straight walking and turning phases. RESULTS: The number of steps and the time taken during TUG test increased significantly from single- to dual-task conditions (dual motor and dual cognitive). However, there were no significant differences in gait parameters between turning toward the nonparetic and paretic sides. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that gait performance was compromised during dual-task conditions for individuals with stroke. Attentional loading may be incorporated into routine gait assessment and rehabilitation to ensure a successful recovery.