The Effect of Two Different Cognitive Tests on Gait Parameters during Dual Tasks in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

Biomed Res Int. 2016:2016:1205469. doi: 10.1155/2016/1205469. Epub 2016 Feb 28.

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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gait / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause / physiology*