Improving Executive Function and Dual-Task Cost in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
- PMID: 39164804
- DOI: 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000489
Improving Executive Function and Dual-Task Cost in Parkinson Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background and purpose: Dual-task walking is challenging for people with Parkinson disease (PD). Gait performance worsens while executing dual tasks, possibly due to a decline in executive function (EF). This study aimed to investigate the effects of dual-task training on EF and dual-task cost (DTC) in people with PD and to explore whether training-induced changes in EF were associated with changes in DTC.
Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial. A total of 28 people with PD participated. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (dual-task training) and the control group (treadmill training). Both groups received a total of 16 training sessions during the 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted at baseline and postintervention. Primary outcomes included EF and dual-task cost.
Results: Significant time-by-group interactions were found in executive function and DTC. The experimental group showed significant improvement in frontal assessment battery (FAB), trail-making test (TMT) part A, Stroop color and word test (SCWT), and DTC on speed in cognitive dual-task walking. There was a moderate to high correlation between the change values of the FAB, TMT part A, SCWT, and the change values of DTC in cognitive dual-task walking.
Discussion and conclusions: Compared to treadmill training, dual-task training resulted in greater improvements in EF and DTC. Training-induced changes in EF were linked to changes in DTC when walking while performing a cognitive task but not when walking while performing a motor task.
Video abstract: For more insights from the authors Supplemental Digital Content available at http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A485.
Copyright © 2024 Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy, APTA.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
-
- Kelly VE, Eusterbrock AJ, Shumway-Cook A. A review of dual-task walking deficits in people with Parkinson’s disease: motor and cognitive contributions, mechanisms, and clinical implications. Parkinsons Dis. 2012;2012:918719.
-
- Zhou J, Cattaneo G, Yu W, et al. The age-related contribution of cognitive function to dual-task gait in middle-aged adults in Spain: observations from a population-based study. Lancet Healthy Longev. 2023;4(3):e98-e106.
-
- Dirnberger G, Jahanshahi M. Executive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease: a review. J Neuropsychol. 2013;7(2):193-224.
-
- Rochester L, Nieuwboer A, Baker K, et al. Walking speed during single and dual tasks in Parkinson’s disease: which characteristics are important? Mov Disord. 2008;23(16):2312-2318.
-
- Lord S, Baker K, Nieuwboer A, Burn D, Rochester L. Gait variability in Parkinson’s disease: an indicator of non-dopaminergic contributors to gait dysfunction? J Neurol. 2011;258(4):566-572.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical