Dual Tasking for the Differentiation between Depression and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Differentiating mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from depression in elderly adults is a significant clinical challenge.
• Both dementia and depression are known to affect gait and dual-task (DT) performance.
• Gait and DT parameters offer potential complementary tools for diagnostic work-up.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the utility of gait and DT parameters in distinguishing between elderly individuals with MCI and depression.
• To analyze differences in single-task (ST) and DT performance, including dual-task costs (DTC), between distinct clinical groups.

Main Methods:

• The TREND study assessed 704 participants aged 50-80 using cognitive and depression inventories.
• Participants were categorized into four groups: acute depressed, MCI, combined depressed and MCI, and controls.
• Gait and a box-checking task were performed under ST and DT conditions, with ST and DT performance and DTC calculated.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed in ST gait and box-checking speeds, DT walking speed, and walking DTC across the groups.
• Healthy controls exhibited the fastest performance in all tasks.
• Individuals with MCI demonstrated higher DTC compared to those with depression.

Conclusions:

• Dual-task (DT) parameters, specifically dual-task costs (DTC), are easily measurable and provide valuable diagnostic information.
• The combination of gait and DT parameters effectively differentiates between elderly adults experiencing depression and those with MCI.