Contributions
Abstract: P335
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Backgound: People with relapsing remitting MS (PwRRMS) have been shown to suffer disproportionate decrements in gait performance under dual-task conditions, when walking is combined with a cognitive task. There has been much less investigation of the impact of cognitive demands on balance. The aims of this study were to investigate whether:
(1) PwRRMS show disproportionate decrements in postural stability under dual-task conditions compared to healthy controls;
(2) dual-task decrements are associated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties;
(3) mood and fatigue are associated with level of dual task decrement.
Methods: 34 PwRRMS and 34 matched controls completed cognitive (digit span) and balance (movement of centre of pressure on a Biosway, on stable and unstable surfaces) tasks under single and dual-task conditions. Everyday dual-tasking was measured using the Divided Attention (DiVA) Questionnaire. Mood was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fatigue was measured via the Modified Fatigue Index Scale (MFIS).
Results: There were no differences in age, gender, years of education, estimated pre-morbid IQ or baseline digit span between the groups. In comparison to healthy controls, PwRRMS showed a significantly greater decrement in postural stability under dual-task conditions on an unstable surface (p=.007), but not a stable surface (p=.679). PwRRMS reported higher levels of everyday dual-tasking difficulties (p< .001). Balance decrement scores were not correlated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties, or with fatigue. Stable surface balance decrement scores were significantly associated with levels of anxiety (rho=.527, p=.001) and depression (rho=.451, p=.007).
Conclusion: RRMS causes difficulties with dual tasking, impacting balance, particularly under challenging conditions, which may contribute to an increased risk of gait difficulties and falls. The striking relationship between anxiety/depression and dual-task decrement suggests that worry may be contributing to dual-task difficulties, and raises the possibility that therapeutic interventions aimed at managing worry may improve cognitive-motor dual-tasking.
Disclosure:
Emma Butchard-MacDonald: Nothing to disclose
Lorna Paul: Nothing to disclose
Jonathan Evans: Nothing to disclose
Abstract: P335
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - MS symptoms
Backgound: People with relapsing remitting MS (PwRRMS) have been shown to suffer disproportionate decrements in gait performance under dual-task conditions, when walking is combined with a cognitive task. There has been much less investigation of the impact of cognitive demands on balance. The aims of this study were to investigate whether:
(1) PwRRMS show disproportionate decrements in postural stability under dual-task conditions compared to healthy controls;
(2) dual-task decrements are associated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties;
(3) mood and fatigue are associated with level of dual task decrement.
Methods: 34 PwRRMS and 34 matched controls completed cognitive (digit span) and balance (movement of centre of pressure on a Biosway, on stable and unstable surfaces) tasks under single and dual-task conditions. Everyday dual-tasking was measured using the Divided Attention (DiVA) Questionnaire. Mood was measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Fatigue was measured via the Modified Fatigue Index Scale (MFIS).
Results: There were no differences in age, gender, years of education, estimated pre-morbid IQ or baseline digit span between the groups. In comparison to healthy controls, PwRRMS showed a significantly greater decrement in postural stability under dual-task conditions on an unstable surface (p=.007), but not a stable surface (p=.679). PwRRMS reported higher levels of everyday dual-tasking difficulties (p< .001). Balance decrement scores were not correlated with everyday dual-tasking difficulties, or with fatigue. Stable surface balance decrement scores were significantly associated with levels of anxiety (rho=.527, p=.001) and depression (rho=.451, p=.007).
Conclusion: RRMS causes difficulties with dual tasking, impacting balance, particularly under challenging conditions, which may contribute to an increased risk of gait difficulties and falls. The striking relationship between anxiety/depression and dual-task decrement suggests that worry may be contributing to dual-task difficulties, and raises the possibility that therapeutic interventions aimed at managing worry may improve cognitive-motor dual-tasking.
Disclosure:
Emma Butchard-MacDonald: Nothing to disclose
Lorna Paul: Nothing to disclose
Jonathan Evans: Nothing to disclose