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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Jul 15;22(1):581.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03201-5.

Cognitive-motor multitasking in older adults: a randomized controlled study on the effects of individual differences on training success

Melanie Mack #  1 , Robert Stojan #  1   2 , Otmar Bock  2   3 , Claudia Voelcker-Rehage  4   5
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive-motor multitasking in older adults: a randomized controlled study on the effects of individual differences on training success

Melanie Mack et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Multitasking is an essential part of our everyday life, but performance declines typically in older age. Many studies have investigated the beneficial effects of cognitive, motor and combined cognitive-motor training on multitasking performance in older adults. Previous work, however, has not regarded interindividual differences in cognitive functioning and motor fitness that may affect training benefits. The current study aims to identify whether different training programs may have differential effects on multitasking performance depending on the initial level of cognitive functioning and motor fitness.

Methods: We conduct a 12-week single-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of N = 150 healthy older adults are assigned to either a single cognitive, a single motor, or a simultaneous cognitive-motor training. Participants are trained twice per week for 45 min. A comprehensive test battery assesses cognitive functions, motor and cardiovascular fitness, and realistic multitasking during walking and driving in two virtual environments. We evaluate how multitasking performance is related not only to the training program, but also to participants' initial levels of cognitive functioning and motor fitness.

Discussion: We expect that multitasking performance in participants with lower initial competence in either one or both domains (cognitive functioning, motor fitness) benefits more from single-task training (cognitive training and/or motor training). In contrast, multitasking performance in participants with higher competence in both domains should benefit more from multitask training (simultaneous cognitive-motor training). The results may help to identify whether tailored training is favorable over standardized one-size-fits all training approaches to improve multitasking in older adults. In addition, our findings will advance the understanding of factors that influence training effects on multitasking.

Trial registration: DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register), DRKS00022407. Registered 26/08/2020 - Retrospectively registered at https://www.drks.de/drks_web/setLocale_EN.do.

Keywords: Adaptive; Aging; Cognition; Cognitive testing; Combined cognitive-motor intervention; Dual-tasking; Ecological validity; Exercise; Individualized; Physical activity; Simultaneous.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Gait Real Time Analysis Interactive Lab (GRAIL), customized MT scenario
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Carnet Soft Driving Simulator, customized MT scenario
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Schedule of activities. BMI = Body Mass Index; DSST = Digit Symbol Substitution Test; FrACT = Freiburg Visual Acuity Test; MMSE = Mini Mental State Examination
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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