title: Dual-task performance involving hand dexterity and cognitive tasks and daily functioning in people with schizophrenia: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated separate and concurrent performance on cognitive and hand dexterity tasks and the relationship to daily functioning in 16 people with schizophrenia and 16 healthy control participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants performed the Purdue Pegboard Test and the Serial Seven Subtraction Test under single- and dual-task conditions and completed two daily functioning evaluations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hand dexterity of all participants declined in the dual-task condition, but the discrepancy between single-task and dual-task hand dexterity was greater in the schizophrenia group than in the control group (p<.03, d>.70, for all). The extent of discrepancy in hand dexterity was negatively correlated with daily functioning in the schizophrenia group (rs=-.3 to -.5, ps=.04-.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ability to perform dual tasks may be an indicator of daily functioning in people with schizophrenia. Use of dual-task training may be considered as a therapeutic activity with these clients.
authors: Keh-chung Lin, ScD, is Professor, School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
authors: Keh-chung
authors: KC
authors: Lin
authors: Yi-fang Wu, MS, is Occupational Therapist, Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
authors: Yi-fang
authors: YF
authors: Wu
authors: I-chen Chen, MS, is Research Assistant, School of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei.
authors: I-chen
authors: IC
authors: Chen
authors: Pei-luen Tsai, PhD, is Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors: Pei-luen
authors: PL
authors: Tsai
authors: Ching-yi Wu, ScD, is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan County, Taiwan; cywu@mail.cgu.edu.tw.
authors: Ching-yi
authors: CY
authors: Wu
authors: Chia-ling Chen, PhD, is Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Tao-Yuan County, Taiwan.
authors: Chia-ling
authors: CL
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis