Abstract
Dual tasks that involve walking and cognitive interference tests are commonly used in mobility assessments and interventions. However, factors that explain variance in dual-task performance costs are poorly understood. We, therefore, examined the moderating effects of two putative constructs, postural reserve and hazard estimate, on performance on a walking while talking paradigm. Participants were 285 non-demented older adults (mean age=76.9 years; %female=54.4). Postural reserve was operationalized as the presence or absence of clinical gait abnormalities. An empirical factor, based on measures of executive functions, served as a marker for hazard estimate. The moderation effects of postural reserve and hazard estimate on dual-task costs were examined via two-way interactions in a joint linear mixed effect model. Significant dual-task costs were observed for gait speed (95% CI=30.814 to 39.121) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI=6.568 to 13.607). High hazard estimate had a protective effect against decline in gait speed (95% CI=-8.372 to -0.151) and cognitive accuracy (95% CI=-8.372 to -0.680). Poor postural reserve was associated with reduced decline in gait speed (95% CI=-9.611 to -0.702) but did not moderate the decline in cognitive accuracy (95% CI=-3.016 to 4.559). Assessing postural reserve and hazard estimate can help improve mobility risk assessment procedures and interventions for individuals with cognitive and movement disorders.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 373-381 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | AGE |
Volume | 36 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2014 |
Keywords
- Dual task
- Executive functions
- Gait
- Postural reserve
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aging
- Geriatrics and Gerontology