Razieh Mofateh1, Reza Salehi2, Hossein Negahban3, Mohammad Mehravar4, Shirin Tajali5. 1. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: mofatehr@yahoo.com. 2. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: salehi200@yahoo.com. 3. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: honegahban@yahoo.com. 4. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: mohammad.mehravar@gmail.com. 5. Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. Electronic address: shirintajali@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of cognitive or motor tasks on gait performance between healthy controls and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without fall history. METHODS: The investigation included MS patients with fall history (n = 25) and without fall history (n = 25) and matched healthy controls (n = 25). Participants walked at their preferred speed on a motorized treadmill under three walking conditions in a randomized order: walking only, walking while performing a concurrent cognitive task (counting backward aloud by 3s), and walking while performing a concurrent motor task (carrying a tray with glasses). RESULTS: The findings showed that in patients with MS, regardless of fall history, spatiotemporal gait parameters were different compared to healthy controls. In contrast to average gait parameters, variability in stride length and stride time could discriminate between MS fallers and non-fallers. Simultaneous performance of cognitive task and walking resulted in higher dual-task costs (DTC) in gait performance compared to the motor dual-task. However, the pattern of change was not different among the three groups. All participants responded to the cognitive task challenges by increasing stride length and decreasing cadence and stride length variability while maintaining cognitive task performance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings may reflect successful adaptation of locomotor system to preserve cognitive task performance under cognitive dual-task condition. Future studies should examine more complex concurrent cognitive and motor tasks to better understand the dual-task-related gait changes and their contribution to falls in patients with MS.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of cognitive or motor tasks on gait performance between healthy controls and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with and without fall history. METHODS: The investigation included MS patients with fall history (n = 25) and without fall history (n = 25) and matched healthy controls (n = 25). Participants walked at their preferred speed on a motorized treadmill under three walking conditions in a randomized order: walking only, walking while performing a concurrent cognitive task (counting backward aloud by 3s), and walking while performing a concurrent motor task (carrying a tray with glasses). RESULTS: The findings showed that in patients with MS, regardless of fall history, spatiotemporal gait parameters were different compared to healthy controls. In contrast to average gait parameters, variability in stride length and stride time could discriminate between MS fallers and non-fallers. Simultaneous performance of cognitive task and walking resulted in higher dual-task costs (DTC) in gait performance compared to the motor dual-task. However, the pattern of change was not different among the three groups. All participants responded to the cognitive task challenges by increasing stride length and decreasing cadence and stride length variability while maintaining cognitive task performance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings may reflect successful adaptation of locomotor system to preserve cognitive task performance under cognitive dual-task condition. Future studies should examine more complex concurrent cognitive and motor tasks to better understand the dual-task-related gait changes and their contribution to falls in patients with MS.
Authors: Nora E Fritz; Anne D Kloos; Deborah A Kegelmeyer; Parminder Kaur; Deborah S Nichols-Larsen Journal: J Neurol Sci Date: 2018-11-10 Impact factor: 3.181
Authors: Kim-Charline Broscheid; Martin Behrens; Christian Dettmers; Michael Jöbges; Lutz Schega Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2022-04-07 Impact factor: 4.086