Article

Cognitive motor interference has been linked to poor recovery and
falls. Little is known about recovery of dual-task balance ability poststroke.
METHODS: . In this experimental study, postural sway was examined while standing
on a force plate in preferred stance, with feet together, and with eyes closed,
at 6 and 12 months postdischarge from hospital. Sway was assessed in isolation
and while participants performed a cognitive (shopping list) task. RESULTS: .
Seventy-six people with stroke (mean age 67 years; range, 21-91 years) took part.
Fifty-four completed both assessments. When compared with the single task, sway
during the dual-task condition was significantly lower in both the medial lateral
(ML) and anterior posterior (AP) directions (both P < .0001). Sway in both
directions was influenced by the difficulty of the balance task (both P < .0001).
There was a trend of reduced sway at the 12-month assessment compared with the
6-month assessment: significant only in the ML direction (P = .0056). Repeat
fallers swayed more than non-repeat fallers, with increases of 48% and 44% in the
ML (P = .0262) and AP (P = .0134) directions, respectively. No significant
variation in the dual-task reduction in sway was found: the dual-task effect was
remarkably consistent over all the conditions tested, particularly in the AP
direction. CONCLUSIONS: . Sway decreased under dual-task conditions and changed
as the difficulty of the balance task changed. Stroke fallers swayed more than
nonfallers and there was evidence of a reduction in sway over time, particularly
in the ML direction.

Langue : ANGLAIS