title: Impact of cognitive fatigue on gait and sway among older adults: A literature review.
abstract: Cognitive fatigue is an alteration in central nervous system (CNS) processing due to prolonged performance of mentally demanding tasks. Decreased gait speed and increased stride length variability have been noted in cognitively fatigued older adults (≥ 65 years). Further, cognitive fatigue may weaken the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems of the CNS, contributing to increased postural sway. Detriments in gait and sway caused by cognitive fatigue could increase fall risk. The objective of this literature review was to evaluate the impact of cognitive fatigue on changes in gait and postural sway and its role in fall risk.
authors.affiliation: Clarkson University, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grobe
authors.affiliation: Ithaca College, Dept. of Physical Therapy, 953 Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, USA.
authors.forename: Rumit Singh
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kakar
authors.affiliation: University of Georgia, Institute of Gerontology, Dept. of Health Promotion and Behavior, Health Sciences Campus, #101 Hudson Hall, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Texas A&M University, School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, 212 Adriance Lab Rd, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew Lee
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Health, 212 Adriance Lab Rd, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1266, USA.
authors.forename: Ranjana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma State University College of Education, 189 Colvin Center, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baghurst
authors.affiliation: Clarkson University, Dept. of Physical Therapy, Potsdam, NY 13699, USA.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boolani
keywords: Cognitive fatigue; Elderly; Fall risk; Falls; Gait; Mental fatigue; Older adults; Sway