Gait characteristics during dual task walking in elderly subjects of different age

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: In older age walking ability gradually decreases due to factors including impaired balance, reduced muscle strength, and impaired vision and proprioception. Further, cognitive functions play a great role during walking and with age cognitive functions gradually decline. There is a greater variability when the demands during walking increase, in dual and multiple task situations. The aim was to analyze gait parameters while performing demanding cognitive and motor dual task in the different age-related healthy elderly subjects. Method: Total of 132 healthy individuals (54 males, 78 females) were divided in three groups –55 to 65 years, 66 and 75 and 76 to 85 years. Subjects performed a basic walking task, a dual-motor task, a dual-mental task, and a combined motor and mental task while walking. Gait parameters as cycle time, stride length, swing time and double support time were noted, as well as variability of those parameters. Results: Cycle time was was increased and stride length was shorter in the group >76 years in comparison to the group 51-65 years in all test conditions. A comparison of all three groups did not show significant difference in swing time, while double support time was increased in the same group. Conclusions: Changes are observed when gait is performed simultaneously with additional motor or cognitive task. Early detection of gait disorders can help identify elderly people at increased risk of falls. Employing dual task paradigm during gait assessment in healthy elderly may help identify cognitive impairment early in the disturbances course.