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Updated: Oct 6, 2025
Motor Dual-Tasks for Gait Analysis and Evaluation in Post-Stroke Patients
Published on: March 11, 2021
Effect of cognitive task complexity on dual task postural stability: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abubakar Tijjani Salihu1, Keith D Hill2, Shapour Jaberzadeh3
1Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation and Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Frankston Victoria 319, P O Box 527, Melbourne, Australia. abubakar.salihu@monash.edu.
Cognitive task complexity does not affect postural stability in healthy individuals during dual tasking. Postural control depends more on participant age and task difficulty, not cognitive load.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dual tasking studies investigate cognitive load's impact on postural control.
- Inconsistent findings question cognitive involvement, with some studies showing improved stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review studies comparing simple and complex cognitive tasks on postural stability.
- To test the U-shaped hypothesis linking cognitive task complexity to postural stability.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 33 studies (1068 participants) from 1980-2020.
- Meta-analysis of 17 studies (healthy young adults, stroke patients).
- Narrative synthesis for healthy older adults.
Main Results:
- Cognitive task complexity did not significantly affect postural stability in healthy individuals (P > 0.1).
- The hypothesized U-shaped relationship was not supported.
- Dual tasking's effect on stability varied significantly with participant age and postural task challenge.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive task complexity is not a primary determinant of postural stability changes during dual tasking in healthy populations.
- Age and postural task difficulty are key factors influencing cognitive resource allocation for postural control.
- Higher cortical functions' involvement in postural control is context-dependent.
