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Dual-task, single challenge: functionality as an early marker of cognitive decline
Júlia Silva de Almeida1, Isabelle Louise da Silva Rosendo1, Jessica Dos Santos Sacramento Plácido2
1Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Psiquiatria, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|August 15, 2026
Summary
Dual-task assessments effectively identify cognitive decline in older adults, showing a link between dual-task performance and functional capacity. Early detection aids in preserving independence.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Early detection of cognitive decline is vital for maintaining independence in aging populations.
- Identifying individuals with possible cognitive decline (PwCD) before formal diagnosis is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of dual-task and functional assessment tools in detecting cognitive impairment among older adults without a prior diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involved 144 healthy older adults (≥60 years) excluding those with neurological diseases or severe mobility issues.
- Participants underwent cognitive tests (MMSE, MoCA, CDT, VF) and functional assessments, including dual-task Timed Up and Go (TUGdt) with naming and subtraction tasks.
Main Results:
- 55 participants were identified as PwCD, differing from healthy controls by lower education and higher proportion of Black individuals.
- PwCD scored significantly worse on all cognitive tests and TUGdt (dual-task), indicating impaired dual-task performance.
- No significant differences were observed in Sit-to-Stand, Step Test, Berg Balance Scale, or total Pfeffer scores, but PwCD showed greater instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impairment.
Conclusions:
- Dual-task performance is associated with functional capacity in older adults.
- Dual-task assessments, particularly TUGdt, show promise for detecting early cognitive impairment in aging populations.
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