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Author Spotlight: Using Motor Imagery Brain-Computer Interface to Improve Motor and Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients
Published on: September 1, 2023
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Fast walking under cognitive-motor interference conditions in chronic stroke
Andrea Dennis1, Helen Dawes, Charlotte Elsworth
1Movement Science Group, School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lanes, Headington, OX3 0BP, UK. adennin@brookes.ac.uk
Brain Research
|June 17, 2009
Summary
Stroke patients prioritize cognitive tasks over walking speed when counting backwards. During fast walking, they favor gait over visual-spatial tasks, impacting rehabilitation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Gait in stroke patients is often slower and further impaired by cognitive demands.
- Cognitive-motor interference (CMI) may vary with walking intensity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of two distinct cognitive tasks on gait speed in stroke patients at preferred and fast walking paces.
- To explore potential differences in CMI based on walking intensity and cognitive task type.
Main Methods:
- Dual-task methodology was employed with 21 chronic stroke patients and 10 controls.
- Participants performed walking (preferred and fast pace) and cognitive tasks (serial subtractions, visuo-spatial decision) under single- and dual-task conditions.
- Gait speed and cognitive task performance were measured.
Main Results:
- Healthy controls showed no significant CMI.
- Stroke patients reduced walking speed during serial subtractions at both paces.
- Stroke patients made more errors in the visuo-spatial task during fast walking, indicating a shift in prioritization.
Conclusions:
- Stroke patients appear to prioritize cognitive tasks (serial subtractions) over gait speed maintenance.
- During fast walking with a visuo-spatial task, stroke patients seem to prioritize gait, suggesting adaptive prioritization strategies.
- Findings have implications for designing targeted gait rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors.
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