Cognitive-motor interference in persons with MS: integrated dual task assessment & training. A multi-center study (R-7755)

Dual tasking (DT), doing two things at once, such as walking while talking on the phone or while reading off a shopping list is very frequently required in everyday life. Cognitive-motor interference (CMI) occurs when the performance capacity of a motor or cognitive task decreases when both are performed simultaneously (dual task) compared to single task execution being the so-called dual task cost (DTC). This CMI is greater in elderly and patients with neurological conditions compared to healthy persons, impeding daily life functioning. Problematic cognitive-motor DT has been related to unemployment and fall risk. Walking dysfunction and cognitive impairment are very prevalent in persons with MS (pwMS), already starting in an early disease phase. Moreover, even in patients without clinically evident motor or cognitive impairment, this "invisible disability" may arise during multi-tasking performances. Therefore, this study focus on the measurement of CMI and effectiveness of integrated dual task versus singular motor task training. The goal of the study is to enhance current rehabilitation treatment content, in order to improve daily life mobility and related quality of life of pwMS.

Keywords:MS

Disciplines:Neurosciences, Orthopaedics, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing