Cognitive-Motor Interference during Dual Tasks in Blind Children

The aim of the present study was to compare the dual-task (DT) performance in blind children with sighted ones while concurrently performing a motor task (upright standing) with cognitive (Letter fluency (LF) or Category fluency (CF)) tasks. The Center of pressure mean velocity (CoP_Vm) and the cognitive performances were recorded during single (ST) and DT conditions. Results showed that, for both groups, CoP_Vm values increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the DT compared to ST condition. The CoP_Vm values were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in blind children, compared to controls only in the DT-CF condition. In conclusion, balance performance of blind and typically developed children is affected by dual tasking. Interference between motor and cognitive tasks has more pronounced effects on balance performance in blind children, compared to controls. This difference was observed only when performing the CF task concurrently with the postural balance task.