Age-related decrements in dual-task performance: Comparison of different mobility and cognitive tasks. A cross sectional study

This cross-sectional study investigated the age-related differences in dual-task performance both in mobility and cognitive tasks and the additive dual-task costs in a sample of older, middle-aged and young adults. 74 older adults (M = 72.63±5.57 years), 58 middle-aged adults (M = 46.69±4.68 years) and 63 young adults (M = 25.34±3.00 years) participated in the study. Participants performed different mobility and subtraction tasks under both single and dual-task conditions. Linear regressions, repeated-measures and one-way analyses of covariance were used, The results showed: significant effects of the age on the dual and mobility tasks (p<0.05) and differences among the age-groups in the combined dual-task costs (p<0.05); significant decreases in mobility performance under dual-task conditions in all groups (p<0.05) and a decrease in cognitive performance in the older group (p<0.05). Dual-task activity affected mobility and cognitive performance, especially in older adults who showed a higher dual-task cost, suggesting that dual-tasks activities are affected by the age and consequently also mobility and cognitive tasks are negatively influenced

Fear of falling and activities of daily living function: mediation effect of dual-task ability

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the association between fear of falling (FOF), dual-task ability during a mobility task, and the activities of daily living (ADL) in a sample of older adults.Methods: Seventy-six older adults (mean age M = 70.87 ± 5.16 years) participated in the study. Data on FOF (using the Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International), walking ability during both single- and dual-task performances and ADL were collected.Results: Mediation analysis demonstrated the mediation effect of dual-task ability (? = 0.238, p = 0.011) between FOF and ADL level (? = 0.559, p \textless 0.001). Moreover, significantly lower performances were observed during dual-task condition [F (2, 73) = 7.386, p \textless 0.001], and lower ADL levels were also found in older adults with FOF [F (2, 73) = 13.734, p \textless 0.001].Conclusion: The study underlines the relationship between FOF, dual-task ability and ADL level. These results could be used to develop specific intervention programmes for successful ageing

ANCOVAs and post hoc results of the mobility performance tests.

<p>ANCOVAs and post hoc results of the mobility performance tests.</p

ANCOVAs and post hoc results of interaction Age × Task.

<p>ANCOVAs and post hoc results of interaction Age × Task.</p

ANCOVAs and post hoc results of the cognitive performance tests.

<p>ANCOVAs and post hoc results of the cognitive performance tests.</p

Combined mDTC.

<p>Mean dual-task costs (mDTCs) for the combined mobility and cognitive tasks. Each bar represents the average score for young (gray), middle-aged (white) and older subjects (black) in the different mobility tasks. The columns represent the means, and the error brackets represent the pertinent standard error. * indicates <i>p</i>< 0.05; ** indicates <i>p</i>< 0.01.</p

Age-related decrements in dual-task performance: Comparison of different mobility and cognitive tasks. A cross sectional study

<div><p>This cross-sectional study investigated the age-related differences in dual-task performance both in mobility and cognitive tasks and the additive dual-task costs in a sample of older, middle-aged and young adults. 74 older adults (M = 72.63±5.57 years), 58 middle-aged adults (M = 46.69±4.68 years) and 63 young adults (M = 25.34±3.00 years) participated in the study. Participants performed different mobility and subtraction tasks under both single- and dual-task conditions. Linear regressions, repeated-measures and one-way analyses of covariance were used, The results showed: significant effects of the age on the dual and mobility tasks (<i>p</i><0.05) and differences among the age-groups in the combined dual-task costs (<i>p</i><0.05); significant decreases in mobility performance under dual-task conditions in all groups (<i>p</i><0.05) and a decrease in cognitive performance in the older group (<i>p</i><0.05). Dual-task activity affected mobility and cognitive performance, especially in older adults who showed a higher dual-task cost, suggesting that dual-tasks activities are affected by the age and consequently also mobility and cognitive tasks are negatively influenced.</p></div

ANCOVAs and post hoc results for the mDTCs.

<p>ANCOVAs and post hoc results for the mDTCs.</p

Multiple regression model for combined mean dual-task cost, motor and cognitive performances.

<p>Multiple regression model for combined mean dual-task cost, motor and cognitive performances.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of subjects.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of subjects.</p