Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
07:52
Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen
Published on: October 5, 2020
3.9K
Association of Self-Reported Dual-Task Ability With Fear of Falling and Recurrent Falls in Individuals With Multiple
Myeongjin Bae1, Susan L Kasser1, Michael VanNostrand2
1Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|November 24, 2025
Summary
Self-reported difficulties with dual-tasking, like motor-motor interference (MMI) and cognitive-motor interference (CMI), are linked to fear of falling and recurrent falls in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This questionnaire offers a practical way to screen fall risk.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Gerontology
Background:
- Falls and fear of falling are significant concerns for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), impacting mobility and quality of life.
- Dual-tasking, the ability to perform two tasks simultaneously, is often impaired in MS and may contribute to fall risk.
- Current methods for assessing fall risk in MS, particularly those involving dual-task performance, may not fully capture real-world challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between self-reported dual-task ability and the prevalence of fear of falling in individuals with MS.
- To determine the relationship between self-reported dual-task performance and the occurrence of recurrent falls in the MS population.
- To evaluate the utility of a self-reported dual-task questionnaire as a screening tool for fall risk in individuals with MS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1083 participants with MS recruited from the US general community.
- Participants completed the Dual-Task Impact on Daily Life Activities Questionnaire (DIDA-Q), assessing motor-motor interference (MMI) and cognitive-motor interference (CMI).
- Fear of falling was measured using the Fall Efficacy Scale-International, and fall status (nonfall, single fall, recurrent falls) was recorded.
Main Results:
- Increased scores on the DIDA-Q, including MMI and CMI subdomains, were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of experiencing fear of falling.
- Higher DIDA-Q total scores, MMI, and CMI scores were also significantly linked to an increased risk of recurrent falls within the past three months.
- The odds ratios indicated a substantial association between dual-task difficulties and both fear of falling and recurrent falls.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported difficulties in performing tasks simultaneously are significantly associated with fear of falling and recurrent falls in individuals with MS.
- The findings suggest that self-reported dual-task assessments, like the DIDA-Q, can serve as a valuable and practical alternative for screening fall risk.
- This approach may be more effective than current in-lab dual-task assessments for predicting falls in the MS population.
