title: Effect of type of cognitive task and walking speed on cognitive-motor interference during dual-task walking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the effect of distinctly different cognitive tasks and walking speed on cognitive-motor interference of dual-task walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen healthy adults performed four cognitive tasks: visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) task, word list generation (WLG) task, serial subtraction (SS) task, and the Stroop (STR) task while sitting and during walking at preferred-speed (dual-task normal walking) and slow-speed (dual-task slow-speed walking). Gait speed was recorded to determine effect on walking. Motor and cognitive costs were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dual-task walking had a significant effect on motor and cognitive parameters. At preferred-speed, the motor cost was lowest for the VMRT task and highest for the STR task. In contrast, the cognitive cost was highest for the VMRT task and lowest for the STR task. Dual-task slow walking resulted in increased motor cost and decreased cognitive cost only for the STR task.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that the motor and cognitive cost of dual-task walking depends heavily on the type and perceived complexity of the cognitive task being performed. Cognitive cost for the STR task was low irrespective of walking speed, suggesting that at preferred-speed individuals prioritize complex cognitive tasks requiring higher attentional and processing resources over walking. While performing VMRT task, individuals preferred to prioritize more complex walking task over VMRT task resulting in lesser motor cost and increased cognitive cost for VMRT task. Furthermore, slow walking can assist in diverting greater attention towards complex cognitive tasks, improving its performance while walking.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Physical Therapy, 1919 West Taylor Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, 1601 West Taylor Street, M/C 912, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lamar
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Physical Therapy, 1919 West Taylor Street, 4th Floor, Chicago, IL 60612, United States. Electronic address: tbhatt6@uic.edu.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bhatt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ANOVA; CMI; SS; STR; Stroop; VMRT; WLG; analysis of variance; attention; cognition; cognitive-motor interference; gait; healthy adults; multi-tasking; serial subtraction; visuomotor reaction time; word list generation