Effects of Cognitive Task Type and Complexity on Dual-Task Interference During Level-Ground Walking and Obstacle...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Science
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Dual-task walking deficits impair functional independence in individuals post-stroke.
• Understanding how different tasks and their complexities affect dual-task walking is crucial for rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of cognitive task type and complexity, alongside mobility task type, on dual-task walking performance after stroke.
• To analyze the interaction effects between cognitive and mobility tasks on level-ground walking and obstacle-crossing in stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

• Ninety-three individuals with chronic stroke performed level-ground walking or obstacle-crossing while simultaneously completing one of five cognitive tasks (serial-subtractions, category naming, clock test, auditory discrimination, shopping-list recall) at low and high complexity levels.
• Dual-task effects on walking distance and cognitive performance were calculated using the dual-task effect (DTE) formula.

Main Results:

• Significant interaction effects between cognitive task type and complexity were found for both cognitive and mobility performance during dual-task walking.
• The serial-subtraction task demonstrated the most substantial interference on both cognitive and mobility outcomes.
• Mobility interference, characterized by reduced walking distance without cognitive decline, was the most frequently observed dual-task effect pattern.

Conclusions:

• The interplay between cognitive task characteristics and mobility demands significantly influences dual-task interference patterns after stroke.
• The serial-subtraction task poses the greatest challenge, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Standardized assessments are essential for accurately profiling dual-task interference during walking in stroke survivors.