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Exploring motor-cognitive interference in children with Down syndrome using the Trail-Walking-Test.
Thomas Jürgen Klotzbier1, Katharina Bühler1, Benjamin Holfelder1
1Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 28, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany.
Research in Developmental Disabilities
|September 26, 2020
Summary
Children with Down syndrome (DS) showed reduced performance in dual-task (DT) walking tests compared to typically developing peers. Cognitive demands significantly impacted speed and dual-task costs (DTC) in DS, highlighting challenges in dynamic environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Dual-task (DT) paradigms assess cognitive and motor function interplay.
- Children with Down syndrome (DS) often exhibit motor and cognitive challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate DT performance in children with DS during a complex walking task.
- To compare DT performance between children with DS and typically developing (TD) children.
Main Methods:
- Trail-Walking-Test (TWT) used to assess DT performance.
- Participants included children with DS, TD children matched for chronological age (CA), and TD children matched for mental age (MA).
- Motor and cognitive dual-task costs (DTC) were calculated.
Main Results:
- Children with DS performed significantly differently than TD children matched for CA.
- Increasing cognitive demands led to significant decreases in walking speed.
- Cognitive DTC were higher than motor DTC and more pronounced in challenging conditions.
Conclusions:
- DT assessment reveals how motor and cognitive impairments affect performance in dynamic environments.
- Findings highlight specific challenges for children with DS in complex tasks.
