19849
document
Dual-task-related gait changes in transitionally frail older adults : the type of the walking-associated cognitive task matters . BACKGROUND Changes in gait patterns due to a simultaneously performed cognitive task have been reported previously and associated with an increased falling risk among older adults . Little is known whether the type of cognitive task performed while walking is important concerning possible gait interference in older fall-prone individuals . OBJECTIVE To quantify and compare the effects of two different cognitive tasks on gait in transitionally frail older adults . MEASUREMENTS Gait was tested in 30 transitionally frail older adults ( mean age 82.6 +/- 7.1 years , 90 % female ) while either walking alone , performing a simple arithmetic task , or performing a task of verbal fluency . Walking time in seconds , number of steps , frequency of lateral line stepping-over , and stops were recorded . Health status was assessed using standard instruments of geriatric assessment . The classification of Speechley and Tinetti was used to define the participants ' degree of frailty . RESULTS Walking time and number of steps increased significantly under both dual-task conditions compared to walking alone ( p < 0.001 ) without reaching a significant difference between the two dual-task conditions ( respectively , p = 0.131 and p = 0.407 ) , whereas lateral gait instability ( frequency of lateral line stepping-over ) increased significantly in association with counting backward ( p = 0.006 ) but not with the verbal fluency task ( p = 1 ) . CONCLUSION Among the studied sample of transitional older adults , a walking- associated arithmetic task significantly interfered with lateral gait stability , whereas no lateral gait deviations were seen in association with a verbal fluency task . We , therefore , suggest that the choice of the attention-splitting task in dual-task gait assessment among older adults must be made carefully .
19850
Intervention_Educational
walking-associated cognitive task
19851
Intervention_Educational
simultaneously performed cognitive task
19852
Intervention_Educational
cognitive task
19853
Intervention_Educational
walking alone , performing a simple arithmetic task , or performing a task of verbal fluency
19854
Outcome_Mental
walking alone
19855
Outcome_Mental
performing a simple arithmetic task
19856
Outcome_Mental
Walking time in seconds
19857
Outcome_Mental
number of steps
19858
Outcome_Mental
frequency of lateral line stepping-over , and stops
19859
Outcome_Physical
Health status
19860
Outcome_Mental
Walking time
19861
Outcome_Mental
number of steps
19862
Outcome_Mental
lateral gait instability
19863
Outcome_Mental
walking- associated arithmetic task
19864
Outcome_Mental
lateral gait stability
19865
Outcome_Mental
verbal fluency task
19866
Participant_Condition
transitionally frail older adults .