Gait performance of the elderly under dual-task conditions: Review of instruments employed and kinematic parameters

Abstract

Introduction The physiological deterioration associated with ageing exposes elderly persons to greater risks of falls, especially during the performance of simultaneous tasks during gait. Objectives To evaluate the effects of dual tasks (DT) on spatiotemporal gait parameters and to identify the tools and tasks most commonly used to assess the performance of DT among the elderly. Method Searches of the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SciELO databases were conducted. Observational studies, which evaluated gait changes during the performance of DT, published up to April 2014, were selected. Results A total of 385 articles were found, of which 28 were selected. Decreases in speed and increases in stride variability, stride time, step width, and double support time were observed under DT conditions. Motion analysis systems, such as the GAITRite walkway(r) system were the mostly commonly used instruments for the analyses of kinematic parameters (16 studies). DT was most commonly assessed by arithmetic calculations in 20 studies, followed by verbal fluency, in nine studies. The gait parameters most commonly assessed were speed (19 studies), followed by stride variability (14 studies). Conclusion The elderly showed changes in spatiotemporal gait parameters under DT conditions. Gait speed and stride variability were often assessed and, together, were considered good indicators of risks of falls.