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Influence of single and dual tasks on gait stability and gait speed in the elderly

An explorative study

Einfluss von Einfach- und Doppelaufgaben auf Gangstabilität und Ganggeschwindigkeit bei älteren Menschen

Eine explorative Studie

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Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Gait stability during dual tasks is important for elderly persons, especially for elderly individuals in need of care. A study was conducted to assess gait stability by using Lyapunov exponents (λS) during single task and dual task conditions in independently living elderly people (Go-Goes) and elderly people in need of care (No-Goes).

Material and methods

This study was conducted with 26 participants (average age 82 ± 9.4 years) who were allocated to the Go-Goes or No-Goes group. Outcomes were mediolateral and vertical Lyapunov exponents (λS) from accelerometer data and gait speed under single task and dual task conditions.

Results

In both groups significantly higher mediolateral and vertical Lyapunov exponent values as well as significantly lower walking speeds under dual task conditions were found in both groups. The effect sizes were small to moderate for mediolateral λS and large for vertical λS and these differences remained when the analyses were adjusted for walking speed.

Conclusion

Elderly people showed lower gait stability and gait speed under dual task conditions compared to single task conditions.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Gangstabilität während Doppelaufgaben ist für ältere Personen ein wichtiger Faktor, besonders für pflegebedürftige ältere Menschen. Diese Studie wurde durchgeführt, um die Gangstabilität bei Go-Goes und No-Goes während Einfach- und Doppelaufgaben mit Hilfe des Ljapunow-Exponenten (λS) zu bestimmen.

Material und Methoden

Diese Studie wurde mit 26 ProbandInnen (82 ± 9.4 Jahre) durchgeführt. Es wurden 2 Gruppen gebildet (Go-Goes und No-Goes). Als Outcomes dienten der medio-laterale und vertikale Ljapunow-Exponent (λS) sowie die Gehgeschwindigkeit.

Ergebnisse

In beiden Gruppen zeigten sich signifikant höhere medio-laterale und vertikale Ljapunow-Exponenten-Werte sowie signifikant tiefere Gehgeschwindigkeiten beim Gehen unter Doppelaufgaben. Nach Korrektur der Gehgeschwindigkeit zeigten sich für den medio-lateralen λS moderate und für den vertikalen λS große Effektstärken.

Schlussfolgerung

Ältere Menschen sind während Doppelaufgaben signifikant instabiler und langsamer.

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Acknowledgements

We say thanks to Ross Bennie for proofreading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Health, Discipline Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland

    Slavko Rogan MSc PT, MSc Osteo, M.A. ad e,  Jan Taeymans MPH, MSc, MSc, Christian Bangerter BSc PT & Sven Simon BSc PT

  2. Academy for Physiotherapy and Training Education, Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany

    Slavko Rogan MSc PT, MSc Osteo, M.A. ad e

  3. Faculty of Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Jan Taeymans MPH, MSc, MSc

  4. Faculty of Health Sciences, Antwerp University, Antwerp, Belgium

    Jan Taeymans MPH, MSc, MSc

  5. IRR, Institute for Research in Rehabilitation, Sion, Switzerland & Clinique romande de réadaptation SUVACare, Sion, Switzerland

    Philippe Terrier

  6. School of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Leukerbad, Switzerland

    Roger Hilfiker MSc

Authors
  1. Slavko Rogan MSc PT, MSc Osteo, M.A. ad e
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  2. Jan Taeymans MPH, MSc, MSc
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  3. Christian Bangerter BSc PT
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  4. Sven Simon BSc PT
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  5. Philippe Terrier
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  6. Roger Hilfiker MSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Slavko Rogan MSc PT, MSc Osteo, M.A. ad e.

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Conflict of interest

S. Rogan, T. Jan, C. Bangerter, S. Simon, T. Philippe and R. Hilfiker declare that they have no competing interests.

This exploratory study was conducted following the STROBE Statement guidelines

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Rogan, S., Taeymans, J., Bangerter, C. et al. Influence of single and dual tasks on gait stability and gait speed in the elderly. Z Gerontol Geriat 52, 23–27 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-017-1279-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-017-1279-2

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