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Multitasking in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis
Jason L Rucker1, Joan M McDowd2, Jonathan D Mahnken3
1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 19, 2017
Summary
Older adults with type 2 diabetes (DM) show impaired multitasking during walking tasks, impacting gait. This suggests a need for clinical assessment of multitasking abilities in this population to prevent falls and functional decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Multitasking deficits are linked to gait problems and falls in at-risk groups.
- Cognitive and physical function decline in older adults, especially those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
- The impact of type 2 DM on multitasking abilities in older adults remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare multitasking performance in older adults with and without type 2 DM.
- To investigate the relationship between multitasking, gait, and functional ability in older adults with type 2 DM.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 80 cognitively intact older adults (40 with type 2 DM, 40 without).
- Multitasking assessed using the ambulatory Walking and Remembering Test (WART) and seated Pursuit Rotor Test (PRT).
- Gait parameters (walking speed, stride length variability) and functional ability (LLFDI) were measured.
Main Results:
- Participants with type 2 DM exhibited slower walking speed and increased path deviation during the WART.
- No significant differences in multitasking performance were found on the PRT between groups.
- Multitasking performance showed minimal correlation with gait and functional ability in both groups.
Conclusions:
- Older adults with type 2 DM demonstrate poorer performance on ambulatory multitasking tasks.
- Limitations include a small, homogenous sample and potential confounding factors like peripheral neuropathy.
- Further research is needed to understand multitasking's role in fall risk and function in older adults with DM.
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