Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine cognitive motor interference (CMI) during walking using a
simple, standardized, and well-refined alphabet dual-task (DT) paradigm in
individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) in whom cognitive and walking impairment
often co-occur. DESIGN: A single time point, cross-sectional study. SETTING: A
university clinical laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with MS (N=61; mean age
+/- SD, 50.8+/-9.3 y) performed 4 walking trials over a 4.6-m walkway to
determine gait parameters. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Gait parameters were assessed over 4 walking trials. The first 2 walks involved
the single task (ST) of walking only; the second 2 walks involved participants
performing the DT of reciting alternate letters of the alphabet while walking.
The gait parameters recorded during the ST and DT walks were used to compute a
dual-task cost (DTC) of walking (% change in gait parameter between ST and DT
walks) as a metric of CMI. RESULTS: Our multivariate analysis with univariate
follow-ups indicated CMI during walking based on slower velocity (etap(2)=.59;
F=84.6; P<.001) and cadence (etap(2)=.46; F=51.6; P<.001), shorter step length
(etap(2)=.38; F=36; P<.001), and increased step time (etap(2)=.34; F=31; P<.001)
and double-support time (etap(2)=.31; F=27.3; P<.001) in DT versus ST conditions.
The DTC of walking for the gait parameters was not correlated with clinical
(disability, disease duration) and demographic (eg, education, age) factors (all
|r|</=.240). CONCLUSIONS: The alphabet DT paradigm is easily administered and
well refined. We highlight its ability and acceptability to determine CMI during
walking in people with MS, independent of disease status.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS