Robot-Based Assessment of Dual Task Activities: Investigating the Impact of Balance Tasks on Cognitive Performance in...

Cognitive decline in older adults, even those without impairments, is well-established and becomes especially pronounced during dual-task situations. Advances in digital devices for cognitive assessment provide more precise evaluations compared to traditional oral or paper-based formats. However, most of these devices typically focus solely on cognitive performance without employing the Motor-Cognitive Dual-Task paradigm, which integrates cognitive tests with motor tasks. This study exploited such innovations by integrating digitalized cognitive tests with dynamic balance tasks, aiming to improve detection of age-related cognitive changes. Sixty-one participants completed Motor-Cognitive Dual-Task tests on a robotic platform under various balance conditions, both static and dynamic. The study validated the digital tests against their traditional counterparts and examined how age and balance conditions influenced cognitive performance. Results on cognitive performance showed how cognitive decline becomes more apparent with age, particularly in tasks requiring higher complexity. Both processing speed and working memory showed significant age-related reductions. Also, a deterioration in cognitive performance was shown in the most challenging balance scenarios, therefore revealing an effect of the balance task on cognitive performance. These findings suggest that combining dynamic balance tasks with cognitive assessments may effectively identify early cognitive changes.