Anne Deblock-Bellamy1,2, Anouk Lamontagne3,4, Bradford J McFadyen1,2,5, Marie-Christine Ouellet1,6, Andreanne K Blanchette7,8,9. 1. Center for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration (Cirris), CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, 525 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Quebec City, QC, G1M 2S8, Canada. 2. Faculty of Medicine, Universite Laval, 1050 Avenue de la Medecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. 3. Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, CISSS de Laval, 3205 Alton-Goldbloom Place, Laval, QC, H7V 1R2, Canada. 4. School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, 3654 Prom Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC, H3G 1Y5, Canada. 5. Department of Rehabilitation, Universite Laval, 1050 Avenue de la Medecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. 6. Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychology, Universite Laval, 2325 rue des Bibliothèques, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. 7. Center for interdisciplinary research in rehabilitation and social integration (Cirris), CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale, 525 Boulevard Wilfrid-Hamel, Quebec City, QC, G1M 2S8, Canada. andreanne.blanchette@fmed.ulaval.ca. 8. Faculty of Medicine, Universite Laval, 1050 Avenue de la Medecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. andreanne.blanchette@fmed.ulaval.ca. 9. Department of Rehabilitation, Universite Laval, 1050 Avenue de la Medecine, Quebec City, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada. andreanne.blanchette@fmed.ulaval.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A recent literature review emphasized the importance of assessing dual-task (DT) abilities with tasks that are representative of community ambulation. Assessing DT ability in real-life activities using standardized protocols remains difficult. Virtual reality (VR) may represent an interesting alternative enabling the exposure to different scenarios simulating community walking. To better understand dual-task abilities in everyday life activities, the aims of this study were (1) to assess locomotor and cognitive dual-task cost (DTC) during representative daily living activities, using VR, in healthy adults; and 2) to explore the influence of the nature and complexity of locomotor and cognitive tasks on DTC. METHODS: Fifteen healthy young adults (24.9 ± 2.7 years old, 8 women) were recruited to walk in a virtual 100 m shopping mall corridor, while remembering a 5-item list (DT condition), using an omnidirectional platform and a VR headset. Two levels of difficulty were proposed for the locomotor task (with vs. without virtual agent avoidance) and for the cognitive task (with vs. without items modification). These tasks were also performed in single task (ST) condition. Locomotor and cognitive DTC were measured by comparing performances in ST and DT conditions. Locomotor performance was characterized using walking speed, walking fluidity, and minimal distance between the participant and the virtual agent during avoidance. Cognitive performance was assessed with the number of items correctly recalled. Presence of DTC were determined with one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. To explore the influence of the tasks' complexity and nature on DTC, a nonparametric two-way repeated measure ANOVA was performed. RESULTS: No locomotor interference was measured for any of the outcomes. A cognitive DTC of 6.67% was measured (p = .017) while participants performed simultaneously both complex locomotor and cognitive tasks. A significant interaction between locomotor task complexity and cognitive task nature (p = .002) was identified on cognitive DTC. CONCLUSIONS: In challenging locomotor and cognitive conditions, healthy young adults present DTC in cognitive accuracy, which was influenced by the locomotor task complexity task and the cognitive task nature. A similar VR-based protocol might be used to investigate DT abilities in older adults and individuals with a stroke.
BACKGROUND: A recent literature review emphasized the importance of assessing dual-task (DT) abilities with tasks that are representative of community ambulation. Assessing DT ability in real-life activities using standardized protocols remains difficult. Virtual reality (VR) may represent an interesting alternative enabling the exposure to different scenarios simulating community walking. To better understand dual-task abilities in everyday life activities, the aims of this study were (1) to assess locomotor and cognitive dual-task cost (DTC) during representative daily living activities, using VR, in healthy adults; and 2) to explore the influence of the nature and complexity of locomotor and cognitive tasks on DTC. METHODS: Fifteen healthy young adults (24.9 ± 2.7 years old, 8 women) were recruited to walk in a virtual 100 m shopping mall corridor, while remembering a 5-item list (DT condition), using an omnidirectional platform and a VR headset. Two levels of difficulty were proposed for the locomotor task (with vs. without virtual agent avoidance) and for the cognitive task (with vs. without items modification). These tasks were also performed in single task (ST) condition. Locomotor and cognitive DTC were measured by comparing performances in ST and DT conditions. Locomotor performance was characterized using walking speed, walking fluidity, and minimal distance between the participant and the virtual agent during avoidance. Cognitive performance was assessed with the number of items correctly recalled. Presence of DTC were determined with one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. To explore the influence of the tasks' complexity and nature on DTC, a nonparametric two-way repeated measure ANOVA was performed. RESULTS: No locomotor interference was measured for any of the outcomes. A cognitive DTC of 6.67% was measured (p = .017) while participants performed simultaneously both complex locomotor and cognitive tasks. A significant interaction between locomotor task complexity and cognitive task nature (p = .002) was identified on cognitive DTC. CONCLUSIONS: In challenging locomotor and cognitive conditions, healthy young adults present DTC in cognitive accuracy, which was influenced by the locomotor task complexity task and the cognitive task nature. A similar VR-based protocol might be used to investigate DT abilities in older adults and individuals with a stroke.
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: Valerie E Kelly; Matthew A Schrager; Robert Price; Luigi Ferrucci; Anne Shumway-Cook Journal: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci Date: 2008-12 Impact factor: 6.053