Abstract
Introduction The dual tasks (DT) is learned during the whole life and a prerequisite in functional performance in different activities of daily living. Healthy elderly have reduced ability to perform motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously, compared to young adults. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly and classic motor symptoms coexist with prejudice in cognitive domains. Objective To compare balance, gait and performance in dual tasks of individuals with Parkinson’s disease and healthy elderly. Material and method Transversal study consisted of 21 individuals with PD, classified between 1.5 to 3 in Hoehn and Yahr scale and 21 healthy individuals. To evaluate the performance on simple tasks and dual tasks the participants were submitted to five simple tasks (motor) and each was associated with a cognitive task, featuring a DT. To balance and gait evaluation was used the following instruments: Berg Balance Scale, Tinetti Scale and Dynamic Gait Index. Results In respect to gait and performance in dual tasks, there was a statistically significant difference with the worst performance for the group of individuals with PD. Conclusion It was found that the group of elderly people with PD has lower performance in the execution of concurrent tasks when compared with healthy elderly, so the DT can be introduced in rehabilitation programs to improve the performance of these patients.
Highlights
The dual tasks (DT) is learned during the whole life and a prerequisite in functional performance in different activities of daily living
To evaluate the performance on simple tasks and dual tasks the participants were submitted to five simple tasks and each was associated with a cognitive task, featuring a DT
Studies addressing healthy elderly individuals report that the ability of these individuals to perform a motor task simultaneously with a cognitive task is greatly reduced when compared to young adults
Summary
The dual tasks (DT) is learned during the whole life and a prerequisite in functional performance in different activities of daily living. Healthy elderly have reduced ability to perform motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously, compared to young adults. Dual tasking (DT), known as simultaneous or associated tasking, is learned during an individual’s entire course of life Advantageous, it is a prerequisite for functional performance in various activities of daily living. Studies addressing healthy elderly individuals report that the ability of these individuals to perform a motor task simultaneously with a cognitive task is greatly reduced when compared to young adults. Their ability to recover their balance after external interference is affected by the simultaneous performance of a secondary task [3, 4, 5]. Recent studies report that the frontal cortex is activated during the process of learning a new motor task, e.g., a previously unknown exercise or a high-intensity exercise [6, 7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
