Analysis of the impact of a cognitive task on the posture of elderly subjects with depression compared with healthy elderly subjects.
OBJECTIVE
While previous studies have demonstrated that depressive elderly subjects (DES) experience difficulties in the processing of simultaneous cognitive tasks, few have examined the coupling of cognitive tasks with seemingly 'automatic' tasks, such as standing upright. Current patient management focuses on pharmacological treatments and cognitive-behavioral therapies.


METHODS
Healthy elderly (HES) and non-treated DES were included. Postural sway in DES was compared with that in HES while in single-task and dual-task conditions. The single-task consisted of standing upright. For the dual-task, the subjects recalled various items from memory or counted while standing upright. Postural sway was evaluated by computing the center of pressure (CoP) area and path length.


RESULTS
DES showed greater postural sway than HES in all conditions. The HES showed a greater CoP area in the dual-task than in the single-task conditions. In DES, the CoP area in the single-task condition was similar to that in the dual-task condition.


CONCLUSIONS
The greater postural sway observed in DES may be a cause of a greater risk of falls. We showed that even seemingly automatic tasks, such as maintaining an upright posture, are affected by depression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are important for the management of DES.
INSERM U-1093, Cognition, Action and Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Dijon, France; UFR-STAPS, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Campus Universitaire, Dijon, France; EA 7306, Laboratoire de Conception, Optimisation et Modélisation des Systèmes, Team Emotions-Actions, University of Lorraine, Metz, France; UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, University of Lorraine, Metz, France.
Matthieu
M
Casteran
Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation, Hospital of Champmaillot, University Hospital, Dijon, France.
Alain
A
Putot
UFR-STAPS, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Campus Universitaire, Dijon, France.
François
F
Pfitzenmeyer
INSERM U-1093, Cognition, Action and Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Dijon, France; UFR-STAPS, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Campus Universitaire, Dijon, France.
Elizabeth
E
Thomas
INSERM U-1093, Cognition, Action and Sensorimotor Plasticity, University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Dijon, France; Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation, Hospital of Champmaillot, University Hospital, Dijon, France. Electronic address: patrick.manckoundia@chu-dijon.fr.
Patrick
P
Manckoundia
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*
Cognitive task; Depression; Dual-task; Elderly; Postural control; Static posture