Dual task performance in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Daily activities require the simultaneous execution of cognitive and motor tasks. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with functional impairments that may compromise dual-task performance, leading to increased dual-task interference.

To compare dual-task performance and dual-task interference between individuals with T2DM and healthy control subjects.

This study followed the reporting recommendations of the PRISMA statement. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WoS, LILACS, and PEDro databases. We included studies involving individuals diagnosed with T2DM aged over 18 years, assessed using any dual-task evaluation protocol and compared to healthy control subjects. Methodological quality was independently assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist and meta-analyses were performed using JAMOVI software.

Of the 1,864 articles initially identified, 6 studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 468 participants. Individuals with T2DM exhibited poorer motor performance during dual-task evaluations, including reduced gait speed (SMD = -0.74 [95%CI: -1.22 to -0.27], P = 0.002) and longer stride times (SMD = 0.34 [95%CI: 0.03 to 0.65], P = 0.039). Additionally, they demonstrated greater dual-task interference in both motor (SMD = -0.67 [95%CI: -1.16 to -0.19], P = 0.006) and cognitive tasks (SMD = -0.33 [95%CI: -0.66 to -0.03], P = 0.033) compared to healthy control subjects.

Individuals with T2DM exhibit poorer dual-task performance and greater dual-task interference. These findings highlight the importance of including DT assessments in the clinical evaluation of individuals with T2DM. However, due to the limited number of studies, further research is warranted.