Abstract
Introduction. The paper aims to evaluate the influence of two different demanding cognitive tasks on gait parameters using BTS SMART system analysis. Patients and Methods. The study comprised 53 postmenopausal women aged 64.5 ± 6.7 years (range: 47–79). For every subject, gait analysis using a BTS SMART system was performed in a dual-task study design under three conditions: (I) while walking only (single task), (II) walking while performing a simultaneous simple cognitive task (SCT) (dual task), and (III) walking while performing a simultaneous complex cognitive task (CCT) (dual task). Time-space parameters of gait pertaining to the length of a single support phase, double support phase, gait speed, step length, step width, and leg swing speed were analyzed. Results. Performance of cognitive tests during gait resulted in a statistically significant prolongation of the left (by 7%) and right (by 7%) foot gait cycle, shortening of the length of steps made with the right extremity (by 4%), reduction of speed of swings made with the left (by 11%) and right (by 8%) extremity, and reduction in gait speed (by 6%). Conclusions. Performance of cognitive tests during gait changes its individual pattern in relation to the level of the difficulty of the task.
Highlights
The paper aims to evaluate the influence of two different demanding cognitive tasks on gait parameters using BTS SMART system analysis
Disturbances in these complex relationships lead to many clinical conditions, one example of which is motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a newly described predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints [10]
Attention allocation during the dual motor-cognitive tasks led to statistically significant results with regard to the following individual quantitative gait variables: extension of the left and right foot gait cycle, shortening of the right leg step length, reduction of left and right leg swing speed, and reduction of gait speed (Table 1). It did not affect the values for the asymmetry of gait parameters
Summary
The paper aims to evaluate the influence of two different demanding cognitive tasks on gait parameters using BTS SMART system analysis. The overlapping of motor and cognitive functions occurs every day during regular walking, when walking is accompanied by attention-demanding situations, such as overcoming barriers and obstacles, the use of a mobile phone, responses to changes in the color of traffic lights (stop or go), reactions to instructions, and the sounds of moving cars or horns [6,7,8,9] Disturbances in these complex relationships lead to many clinical conditions, one example of which is motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome, a newly described predementia syndrome characterized by slow gait and cognitive complaints [10]. The abovementioned associations are problematic during every day multitasking situations when cognitively demanding tasks are performed while walking and may result in greater risk of falls and injury [31, 32]
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