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Published on: March 11, 2021
Cognitive-motor dual-task interference in adults with sickle cell disease
Arvind P Subramaniam1, Charity I Oyedeji2, Jhana S Parikh3
1Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle - Clinic 1E, Durham, NC 27710, United States; Duke Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle - Clinic 2N, Durham, NC 27710, United States.
Dual-task assessment (DTA) is a safe and feasible method for evaluating physical and cognitive function in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). The study identified specific patterns of cognitive-motor interference, supporting DTA
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) causes physical and cognitive impairments, potentially affecting multitasking abilities in aging adults.
- Cognitive-motor dual-task interference, a decline in performance during simultaneous tasks, is not well-studied in adults with SCD.
- Dual-task assessment (DTA) offers a way to measure combined physical and cognitive function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the feasibility and safety of dual-task assessment (DTA) in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).
- To identify patterns of cognitive-motor interference during DTA in this population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study enrolled 40 adults with SCD (mean age 44 years).
- Usual gait speed measured motor performance; verbal fluency (letters F, A, S) measured cognitive performance.
- Feasibility was assessed by completion rates; dual-task effect (DTE %) quantified interference patterns.
Main Results:
- DTA was feasible (91% completion) and safe, with no adverse events reported.
- Three main interference patterns were observed for the 'A' trial: Motor Interference (53%), Mutual Interference (23%), and Cognitive-Priority Tradeoff (15%).
- For the 'S' trial, patterns included Cognitive-Priority Tradeoff (53%) and Motor Interference (25%).
Conclusions:
- Dual-task assessment (DTA) is a feasible and safe method for evaluating adults with sickle cell disease (SCD).
- Specific patterns of cognitive-motor interference were identified, offering insights into functional changes.
- Further research into DTA is warranted to establish its utility for assessing ambulatory adults with SCD.
