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    Comparable walking gait performance during executive and non-executive cognitive dual-tasks in chronic stroke: A pilot study


    Walshe, Elizabeth, Roche, Richard, Ward, Christina, Patterson, Matt, O'Neill, Desmond, Collins, Ronan and Commins, Sean (2019) Comparable walking gait performance during executive and non-executive cognitive dual-tasks in chronic stroke: A pilot study. Gait and Posture, 71. pp. 181-185. ISSN 0966-6362

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    Abstract

    Background: Falls are a serious problem among stroke survivors due to subsequent injuries, recovery setbacks, dependence, and mortality. A growing body of dual-task (DT) studies suggests a role of executive functions in gait control and falls, particularly in subacute stroke. However, few studies have compared distinct executive and non-executive tasks, nor their effects on chronic stroke gait. Research question: The purpose of this crosssectional study was to compare the effects of distinct working memory (2-back) and inhibition (Stroop) tasks on walking gait performance in chronic stroke survivors. Methods: A pilot sample of chronic stroke survivors (n = 11, 8 males, mean age = 70.91, 6-12months poststroke event) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 13, 4 male; mean age = 68.46) were tested. Gait performance (speed, stride time, stride time variability, stride length and stride length variability) was measured using 2 wireless inertial measurement sensors under 4 walking conditions: 1) preferred walking (single-task: ST), 2) walking with a 2-back DT, 3) walking with a Stroop DT, and 4) walking with a non-executive motor response DT. The secondary tasks were also carried out in both ST (seated) and DT conditions, to examine bidirectional effects. Results: While the stroke survivor sample had a slower gait speed across conditions and tasks, there were no significant differences between the groups [F(1, 22) = 1.13, p =.299, η2 p = .049] on the spatial or temporal gait characteristics recorded: gait performance was maintained during executive and non-executive DTs. In addition, we did not find a significant effect of group on cognitive task performance (all p > .052). However, we observed a cost in accuracy on the 2-back DT for both groups, suggesting resource overlap and greater cognitive load (all t > 19.72, all p < .001). Significance: Our gait data contradict previous studies evidencing impaired gait post-stroke, suggesting functional recovery in this chronic stroke sample.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Gait; Stroke; Dual-task; Executive function; Older adults;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
    Item ID: 13879
    Identification Number: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.05.004
    Depositing User: Richard Roche
    Date Deposited: 26 Jan 2021 12:53
    Journal or Publication Title: Gait and Posture
    Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/13879
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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