Swati M Surkar1, Rashelle M Hoffman2, Regina Harbourne3, Max J Kurz4. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; Department of Physical Therapy, Munroe Meyer Institute of Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, Munroe Meyer Institute of Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. 3. Department of Physical Therapy John G. Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Department of Physical Therapy, Munroe Meyer Institute of Genetics and Rehabilitation, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Cognitive Neuroscience of Development & Aging (CoNDA) Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska. Electronic address: mkurz@unmc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare the prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and task performance during single- and dual-task conditions between typically developing (TD) children and children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). DESIGN: A prospective, comparative design. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=21) included 12 TD children (age, 6.0±1.1y) and 9 children with HCP (age, 7.2±3.1). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PFC activation was assessed by measuring the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin while the children performed a shape-matching task with their more affected arm while sitting on a stable (single task) vs dynamic surface (dual task). The task performance was assessed with the total number of shapes matched, dual-task cost, and reaction time (RT). RESULTS: For both conditions, the children with HCP exhibited greater PFC activation, matched a fewer shapes, and had slower RT than the TD children. These differences were accentuated during the dual-task condition and the dual-task cost was greater. An increase in the PFC activation during the dual-task condition was tightly correlated with a higher dual-task cost in children with HCP (r=0.77, P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with HCP appear to have a heightened amount of PFC activity while performing a dual task. The greater cortical activity may be a result of the finite attentional resources that are shared between both the motor as well as cognitive demands of the task. The cognitive-motor interference is likely exacerbated in children with HCP because of the structural and functional brain changes as a result of an insult to the developing brain.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and task performance during single- and dual-task conditions between typically developing (TD) children and children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). DESIGN: A prospective, comparative design. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=21) included 12 TD children (age, 6.0±1.1y) and 9 children with HCP (age, 7.2±3.1). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: PFC activation was assessed by measuring the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin while the children performed a shape-matching task with their more affected arm while sitting on a stable (single task) vs dynamic surface (dual task). The task performance was assessed with the total number of shapes matched, dual-task cost, and reaction time (RT). RESULTS: For both conditions, the children with HCP exhibited greater PFC activation, matched a fewer shapes, and had slower RT than the TD children. These differences were accentuated during the dual-task condition and the dual-task cost was greater. An increase in the PFC activation during the dual-task condition was tightly correlated with a higher dual-task cost in children with HCP (r=0.77, P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with HCP appear to have a heightened amount of PFC activity while performing a dual task. The greater cortical activity may be a result of the finite attentional resources that are shared between both the motor as well as cognitive demands of the task. The cognitive-motor interference is likely exacerbated in children with HCP because of the structural and functional brain changes as a result of an insult to the developing brain.
Authors: Marco Tramontano; Giovanni Morone; Andrea Curcio; Giulia Temperoni; Alessandra Medici; Daniela Morelli; Carlo Caltagirone; Stefano Paolucci; Marco Iosa Journal: Eur J Phys Rehabil Med Date: 2016-08-30 Impact factor: 2.874
Authors: Swati M Surkar; Rashelle M Hoffman; Sandra Willett; Janice Flegle; Regina Harbourne; Max J Kurz Journal: Pediatr Phys Ther Date: 2018-04 Impact factor: 3.049
Authors: Prudence Plummer-D'Amato; Lori J P Altmann; Dawn Saracino; Emily Fox; Andrea L Behrman; Michael Marsiske Journal: Gait Posture Date: 2007-10-22 Impact factor: 2.840