Obstacle Crossing with Dual Tasking is a Danger for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and for Healthy Older People

Autor(es)

Simieli, Lucas ^[1] ; Barbieri, Fabio Augusto ^{[1, 2]} ; Orcioli-Silva, Diego ^[1] ; Lirani-Silva, Ellen ^[1] ; Stella, Florindo ^{[1, 3]} ; Bucken Gobbi, Lilian Teresa ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Estadual Paulista Rio Claro, UNESP, Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Paulista Bauru Brazil, UNESP, Bauru, SP - Brazil

^[3] Campinas State Univ Campinas Brazil, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE; v. 43, n. 2, p. 435-441, 2015.
• Citações Web of Science: 6

Resumo

Background/Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of dual tasking on obstacle crossing during walking by individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and by healthy older people. Methods: Thirty four elderly individuals (16 healthy subjects and 18 individuals with AD) were recruited to participate in this study. Three AD individuals and one control participant were excluded due to exclusion criteria. The participants were instructed to walk barefoot at their own speed along an 8m long pathway. Each participant performed five trials for each condition (unobstructed walking, unobstructed walking with dual tasking, and obstacle crossing during walking with dual tasking). The trials were completely randomized for each participant. The mid-pathway stride was measured in the unobstructed walking trials and the stride that occurred during the obstacle avoidance was measured in the trials that involved obstacle crossing. Results/Conclusion: The behavior of the healthy elderly subjects and individuals with AD was similar for obstacle crossing during walking with dual tasking. Both groups used the ``posture first{''} strategy to prioritize stability and showed decreased attention to executive tasking while walking. Additionally, AD had a strong influence on the modifications that are made by the elderly while walking under different walking conditions. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/54275-5 - Influência da tarefa dupla no andar livre e adaptativo de pacientes com Demência de Alzheimer
• Beneficiário: Lucas Simieli
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Iniciação Científica