DUAL-TASK CHANGES IN PREFRONTAL ACTIVATION AND GAIT QUALITY IN OLDER ADULTS. (20th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Baillargeon, Emma; Suri, Anisha; Huppert, Theodore; Sejdic, Ervin; Rosso, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 6(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 332
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igac059.1311
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: We compared the impact of performing dual-task walking on gait quality and prefrontal cortical activation assessed by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We hypothesized a greater increase in fNIRS averaged over the left prefrontal cortex during dual-task walking would be associated with a greater decrease in gait quality (increased step-time variability; decreased gait speed, cadence, smoothness, and adaptability). In older adults (n=60, 75±5.8 years, 57% female), we quantified the change in fNIRS and gait metrics from single-task walking (even surface) to walking with attentional (reciting every-other letter of the alphabet) and physical (uneven surface) dual-task challenges using four 15m repetitions of each task. Gait metrics were computed from a tri-axial accelerometer at the lower-back. Changes in fNIRS from single to dual-task walking were not associated with changes in gait quality for both attentional and physical challenges (Spearman correlations, all p>0.08). Variability in response across individuals may contribute to our findings.