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Adaptive walking in Alzheimer's disease
Diego Orcioli-Silva1, Lucas Simieli, Fabio Augusto Barbieri
1Laboratório de Estudos da Postura e da Locomoção, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Avenida 24-A, 1515 Bela Vista, 13506-900 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
International Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease
|September 20, 2012
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients exhibit slower, more conservative gait when performing tasks, especially with dual-tasking. Increased complexity elevates cognitive load and fall risk in AD individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) significantly impacts motor control and gait.
- Dual-tasking, common in daily life, poses challenges for individuals with AD.
- Understanding gait adaptations under cognitive load is crucial for fall prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dual-tasking on free and adaptive gait in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- To analyze spatial and temporal gait parameters during single and dual-task conditions.
- To assess gait adjustments and stability strategies in AD patients facing increased task complexity.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen Alzheimer's disease patients performed free and adaptive gait tasks with and without a cognitive dual-task (regressive countdown).
- Gait parameters were measured using an optoelectronic tridimensional system.
- Analysis focused on stride parameters during free gait and obstacle-approaching/crossing steps during adaptive gait.
Main Results:
- Alzheimer's disease patients demonstrated slower walking speeds in both free and adaptive gait conditions.
- Patients adopted more conservative gait strategies when performing an obstacle or a secondary task.
- Increased task complexity, particularly dual-tasking during adaptive gait, led to greater reliance on anticipatory and online adjustments for stability.
Conclusions:
- Dual-tasking significantly impairs gait performance and increases fall risk in Alzheimer's disease patients.
- Cognitive load associated with dual-tasking necessitates conservative and stability-seeking gait adjustments.
- Interventions aimed at improving dual-task gait performance may reduce fall incidence in AD.
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