Dataset Information

Optic flow improves step width and length in older adults while performing dual task.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Dual-task paradigms are used to investigate gait and cognitive declines in older adults (OA). Optic-flow is a virtual reality environment where the scene flows past the subject while walking on a treadmill, mimicking real-life locomotion. AIMS:To investigate cost of environment (no optic-flow v. optic-flow) while completing single- and dual-task walking and dual-task costs (DTC; single- v. dual-task) in optic-flow and no optic-flow environments. METHODS:Twenty OA and seven younger adults (YA) walked on a self-paced treadmill in 3-min segments per task and both environments. Five task conditions included: no task, semantic fluency (category), phonemic fluency (letters), word reading, and serial-subtraction. RESULTS:OAs had a benefit of optic-flow compared to no optic-flow for step width (p?=?0.015) and step length (p?=?0.045) during letters compared to the YA. During letters, OA experienced improvement in step width DTC; whereas YA had a decrement in step width DTC from no optic-flow to optic-flow (p?=?0.038). During serial-subtraction, OA had less step width DTC when compared to YA in both environments (p?=?0.02). DISCUSSION:During letters, step width and step length improved in OA while walking in optic-flow. Also, step width DTC differed between the two groups. Sensory information from optic-flow appears to benefit OA. Letters relies more on verbal ability and word knowledge, which are preserved in aging. However, YA use a complex speech style during dual tasking, searching for complex words and an increased speed of speech. CONCLUSIONS:OA can benefit from optic-flow by improving spatial gait parameters, specifically, step width, during dual-task walking.

SUBMITTER: Leeder T

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6486470 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Optic flow improves step width and length in older adults while performing dual task.

Leeder Taylor T Fallahtafti Farahnaz F Schieber Molly M Myers Sara A SA Blaskewicz Boron Julie J Yentes Jennifer M JM

Aging clinical and experimental research 20181026 8

<h4>Background</h4>Dual-task paradigms are used to investigate gait and cognitive declines in older adults (OA). Optic-flow is a virtual reality environment where the scene flows past the subject while walking on a treadmill, mimicking real-life locomotion.<h4>Aims</h4>To investigate cost of environment (no optic-flow v. optic-flow) while completing single- and dual-task walking and dual-task costs (DTC; single- v. dual-task) in optic-flow and no optic-flow environments.<h4>Methods</h4>Twenty OA ...[more]

PMID: 30367447

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Project description:BackgroundFunctional independence and safe mobility, especially in older people, mostly rely on the ability to perform dual tasks, particularly during activities with variable- and fixed-priority attention. The aim of this study is to compare the dual-task training with progression from variable- to fixed-priority instructions versus dual-task training with variable-priority on gait speed in community-dwelling older adults.MethodsThis is an assessor- and participant-blinded, two-arm, randomized controlled trial with 60 community-dwelling male and female older adults between the ages of 60 and 80 years old. Participants will be randomly allocated into either the intervention group or the control group using a computer-generated permuted block randomization schedule. The intervention group will undertake a progressive dual-task training in which the participants will be progressively submitted to dual-task walking and postural balance exercises with variable- to fixed-priority instructions. The control group will be submitted to dual-task training with variable-priority attention exercises. Both groups will receive 48 sessions lasting for 60 min each over 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the gait speed under single- and dual-task conditions. Secondary outcomes will include spatiotemporal gait parameters, functional balance, executive function, falls, quality of life, and depression symptoms. All the analyses will be based on the intention-to-treat principle.DiscussionThis is the first assessor- and participant-blinded, two-arm, randomized controlled trial with 6 months of intervention and an additional 6-month post-training follow up aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of training with progression from variable- to fixed-priority instructions on gait biomechanics, postural balance, falls episodes, executive functioning, and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. If our hypotheses are confirmed, this training protocol can be implemented widely to improve gait speed and other functional activities and quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. This study protocol can be used to improve these functional aspects of community-dwelling older adults. This study may also contribute to future guidelines for the improvement of these clinical and biomechanical aspects in older people.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier - NCT03886805, Registered 22 March 2019.

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Optic flow improves step width and length in older adults while performing dual task.

Publications

Optic flow improves step width and length in older adults while performing dual task.

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