Motor-cognitive interaction in adults with spina bifida: dual-task effects

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Spina bifida (SB) affects ambulatory function and motor-cognitive skills.
• Understanding dual-task (DT) performance is crucial for assessing fall risk and daily functioning in adults with SB.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate motor-cognitive interaction during walking while performing a cognitive task (DT) in ambulatory adults with SB.
• To quantify the DT effect (DTE) on gait and cognitive parameters.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study involving 41 ambulatory adults with SB.
• Gait analysis using a sensor-based system with and without the auditory Stroop task.
• Timed-up-and-go (TUG) test performed under single-task and DT conditions.
• Assessment of cognitive functions including episodic memory, executive function, and processing speed.

Main Results:

• A DT cost was observed in gait speed (4%), stride length (3%), and double support phase (3%).
• Cognitive function showed a 3% DT cost.
• The TUG test revealed a significant 26% DT cost, indicating substantial motor-cognitive challenges.

Conclusions:

• Dual-task walking in adults with SB incurs a cost on gait, potentially increasing fall risk.
• The TUG test with a cognitive task is a valuable clinical tool for evaluating motor-cognitive performance in this population.
• Findings enhance understanding of DT performance in ambulatory adults with SB, informing rehabilitation strategies.