Dual task effects of walking when talking in Alzheimer's disease

G Cocchini, S Della Sala, R H Logie, R Pagani, L Sacco, H Spinnler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous studies with Alzheimer Disease (AD) patients have suggested that speed and accuracy in walking can be dramatically affected by a simultaneous secondary cognitive task, such as holding a conversation. Two experiments examined the impact on AD patients and age matched elderly controls of cognitive demands while walking. In Experiment 1 walking for AD patients was more affected than it was for the normal elderly by a concurrent cognitive demand. Experiment 2 demonstrated that both groups were equally impaired under dual task conditions when the demands of the cognitive tasks were adjusted for individual levels of ability. We conclude that walking may draw on general executive resources, that walking relies more heavily on these executive resources in the elderly, and on a damaged executive system for AD patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)74-80
Number of pages7
JournalRevue neurologique
Volume160
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2004

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES
  • WORKING-MEMORY
  • SENILE DEMENTIA
  • FALLS
  • PERFORMANCE
  • ATTENTION
  • BALANCE
  • ADULTS
  • GAIT
  • OLD

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dual task effects of walking when talking in Alzheimer's disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this