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Improving Executive Function and Dual-Task Cost in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Jun-Hong Zhou1, Ray-Yau Wang, Yo-Tsen Liu
1Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology (J.-H.Z., R.-Y.W., S.-J.C., H.-H.L., Y.-R.Y) and Department of Neurology, School of Medicine (Y.-T.L.), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology (Y.-T.L.), Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Neurology (S.-J.C.), Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; and Department of Physical Therapy (H.-H.L.), Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Dual-task training improved executive function (EF) and dual-task cost (DTC) in Parkinson disease (PD) patients more than treadmill training. Improvements in EF were linked to better dual-task walking performance.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Science
- Movement Disorders
Background:
- Parkinson disease (PD) impairs dual-task walking.
- Executive function (EF) decline may contribute to gait deficits during dual tasks in PD.
- Dual-task cost (DTC) quantifies gait impairment under dual-task conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of dual-task training on EF and DTC in individuals with PD.
- To determine if improvements in EF correlate with changes in DTC after dual-task training.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 28 PD participants.
- Participants were assigned to either dual-task training or treadmill training for 8 weeks.
- Executive function and dual-task cost were assessed at baseline and postintervention.
Main Results:
- Dual-task training significantly improved EF measures (FAB, TMT-A, SCWT) and cognitive DTC compared to treadmill training.
- Moderate to high correlations were observed between improvements in EF and reduced DTC during cognitive dual-task walking.
- No significant association was found between EF changes and DTC for motor dual-task walking.
Conclusions:
- Dual-task training offers superior benefits for enhancing EF and reducing DTC in PD compared to conventional treadmill training.
- Improvements in executive functions are associated with better dual-task walking performance in PD patients performing cognitive tasks.
- The findings suggest targeted dual-task training can mitigate gait challenges related to cognitive-motor interference in Parkinson disease.
