Walking while talking: effect of task prioritization in the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of 2 instructions on the same walking while talking (WWT) task on task prioritization by nondisabled subjects.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey with within subject comparisons.


METHODS
Community-based sample.


METHODS
Older adults (N=189; mean age, 80.2+/-4.9y), who did not meet criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition, for dementia and were able to independently perform activities of daily living.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Verbal and gait measures on the same WWT task with 2 different instructions: paying attention to both talking and walking (WWT-C) and paying attention only to talking (WWT-T).


RESULTS
Task prioritization effects were seen on walking but not on talking. Compared with their baseline normal walking velocity (without talking), subjects slowed down more on WWT-T (median change, 28.3%) than WWT-C (median change, 26.4%). Comparing the 2 WWT conditions, velocity and cadence was slower during WWT-T compared with WWT-C, with longer stride length. Verbal output was not significantly different on the 2 conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Changing instructions while maintaining the same cognitive and motor tasks on WWT in older adults result in task prioritization effects.
Verghese
Joe
J
Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY, USA. jverghes@aecom.yu.edu
Kuslansky
Gail
G
Holtzer
Roee
R
Katz
Mindy
M
Xue
Xiaonan
X
Buschke
Herman
H
Pahor
Marco
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology