Environmental Influence on Cognitive-Motor Interaction During Wheelchair Propulsion

To determine the influence of environmental complexity on cognitive-motor interaction during wheelchair propulsion. Fourteen participants completed two single- to dual-task trials of Serial-7 Subtraction Task and four environments varying in complexity. Differences in cognitive and motor function were determined through paired samples t-tests and percent changes (dual-task costs [DTCs]) were calculated. Within-subjects, repeated-measures ANOVAs were performed to determine differences in DTCs across environments. Cognitive function was maintained from the single- to dual-task trial in all environments (p ≥ 0.16) and yielded similar DTCs across environments (p = 0.80). Compromised motor function was observed in all environments (p ≤ 0.03) and yielded similar DTCs across environments (p ≥ 0.37). Wheelchair propulsion is attentionally demanding; however, environmental complexity did not exacerbate cognitive or motor dual-task costs.