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. 2019 Dec 10;8(12):2177.
doi: 10.3390/jcm8122177.

Structured Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Training Compared to Single Mobility Training in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis, a Multicenter RCT

Renee Veldkamp  1 , Ilse Baert  1 , Alon Kalron  2 , Andrea Tacchino  3 , Mieke D'hooge  1   4 , Ellen Vanzeir  5 , Fanny Van Geel  1 , Joke Raats  1   6 , Mieke Goetschalckx  1 , Giampaolo Brichetto  3   7 , Nov Shalmoni  8 , Peter Hellinckx  4 , Natasja De Weerdt  5 , Dorien De Wilde  6 , Peter Feys  1
Affiliations

Structured Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Training Compared to Single Mobility Training in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis, a Multicenter RCT

Renee Veldkamp et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

The aim was to compare the effectiveness of dual-task training (DTT) compared to single mobility training (SMT) on dual-task walking, mobility and cognition, in persons with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS). Forty pwMS were randomly assigned to the DTT or SMT groups. The DTT-group performed dual-task exercises using an interactive tablet-based application, while the SMT-group received conventional walking and balance exercises. Both interventions were supervised and identical in weeks (8) and sessions (20). Nine cognitive-motor dual-task conditions were assessed at baseline, after intervention and at 4-weeks follow-up (FU). The dual-task cost (DTC), percentage change of dual-task performance compared to single-task performance, was the primary outcome. Mobility and cognition were secondarily assessed. Mixed model analyses were done with group, time and the interaction between group and time as fixed factors and participants as random factors. Significant time by group interactions were found for the digit-span walk and subtraction walk dual-task conditions, with a reduction in DTC (gait speed) for the DTT maintained at FU. Further, absolute dual-task gait speed during walking over obstacles only improved after the DTT. Significant improvements were found for both groups in various motor and cognitive measures. However, the DTT led to better dual-task walking compared to the SMT.

Keywords: balance; cognition; cognitive motor interference; dual task; gait; multiple sclerosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT Flow diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Graphs of the (A) DTCmotor and (B) absolute dual task gait speed (m/s) in the dual task conditions for the DTT (solid line) and SMT (dotted line). Post-hoc significant results are shown for time in both groups (T $), group (G $) or time*group interactions for DTT (DTT $) or SMT (SMT $). Abbreviations: DTC: Dual Task Cost; DT: Dual Task; DTT: Dual Task Training; SMT: Single Mobility Training.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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