Cognitive function influences cognitive-motor interference during dual task walking in multiple sclerosis - PubMed (original) (raw)

Cognitive function influences cognitive-motor interference during dual task walking in multiple sclerosis

Wan-Yu Hsu et al. Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 May.

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Abstract

Background: Both physical and cognitive impairments are common in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Performing a cognitive task while walking (i.e., dual-task walking) can introduce cognitive-motor interference (CMI), resulting in changes in walking performance. The association between the levels of cognitive impairment and of CMI in MS remains unclear.

Objectives: To examine the association between cognitive functioning and differences in walking performance arise between single- and dual-task walking.

Methods: Ninety-five PwMS performed self-preferred pace walking and dual-task walking. The gait parameters recorded were used to compute dual task costs (DTC) as a metric of CMI. Cognitive functioning was assessed using Match, an unsupervised test developed based on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Participants were categorized as higher (HCF) and lower cognitive functioning (LCF) based on a Match z-score < -1.5.

Results: LCF group had elevated DTC for stride velocity, relative to the HCF group. Higher DTC for stride velocity was associated with lower cognition, as assessed by Match test.

Conclusion: The findings support the hypothesis that CMI is associated with cognitive functioning in PwMS.

Keywords: Cognition; Cognitive-motor interference; Dual task cost; Dual-task walking; Multiple sclerosis.

Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest V. J. B is funded by the National MS Society Career Transition Award. She has received personal compensation from Otivio AS. K. L. P reported receiving grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (UH3NS10557, 1U01NS128913) during the conduct of the study; and grants from the National Institute on Aging, Global Brain Health Institute, Quest Diagnostics, the John Douglas French Foundation, and the Rainwater Charitable Trust. A. M. S: has received research support from the NIA/NIH, Bluefield Project to Cure FTD, the Alzheimer's Association, the Larry L. Hillblom Foundation, and the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and has provided consultation to Alector, Lilly/Prevail, Passage Bio, and Takeda. He receives licensing fees as the co-inventor of smartphone cognitive tests not included in this manuscript. R. M. B. is the recipient of a National Multiple Sclerosis Harry Weaver Award. She has received research support from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Science Foundation, the NIH and DOD., She has also received research support from Biogen, Novartis and Roche Genentech. She has received personal compensation for consulting from Alexion, EMD Serono, Horizon, Jansen and TG Therapeutics. The other authors declare no potential competing interests.

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