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Changes in Cortical Activation During Dual-Task Walking in Individuals With and Without Visual Vertigo
Carrie W Hoppes1, Theodore J Huppert, Susan L Whitney
1Army-Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Fort Sam Houston, Texas (C.W.H.); University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (T.J.H., S.L.W., P.M.D., J.M.F., A.L.R.); University of Southern California/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Los Angeles, California (N.L.D.); University of St Augustine for Health Sciences, Austin, Texas (K.M.A.); and Yeungnam University College, Nam-gu, Daegu, South Korea (Y.H.K.).
Individuals with visual vertigo (VV) exhibit slower walking and reduced prefrontal cortex activation during dual-task walking compared to healthy controls. This suggests a shift in attention to maintain balance, impacting cognitive performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Vestibular Disorders
Background:
- Vestibular disorders are linked to impaired gait and balance, particularly during dual-task walking.
- The underlying cerebral mechanisms for these deficits remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in cerebral activation during dual-task walking between individuals with visual vertigo (VV) and healthy controls.
- To explore the neural correlates of gait and balance impairments in VV.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 14 individuals with VV and 14 healthy controls.
- Participants performed single- and dual-task walking on even and uneven surfaces.
- Cerebral activation in prefrontal cortices was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in cognitive performance were observed between groups.
- Both groups exhibited slower gait speeds on uneven surfaces and during dual-task conditions.
- Individuals with VV showed significantly reduced bilateral prefrontal cortex activation compared to controls across all conditions.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with visual vertigo demonstrate diminished prefrontal cortex activity during dual-task walking.
- This reduced activation may indicate a reallocation of cognitive resources to prioritize balance maintenance over the cognitive task.
- Findings highlight the neural underpinnings of gait instability in visual vertigo.
