scholarly journals Age Affects the Attentional Demands of Stair Ambulation: Evidence From a Dual-Task Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (10) ◽  
pp. 1080-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi A. Ojha ◽  
Rebecca W. Kern ◽  
Chien-Ho Janice Lin ◽  
Carolee J. Winstein
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Attentional Demands ◽  
Probe Task ◽  
Stair Ambulation

Background: Approximately 75% of all injury-producing falls on steps for people of all ages occur in people 65 years of age and older. Diminished attentional capacity contributes to fall risk in older adults, particularly when task demands are high. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the attentional demands of ascending and descending a set of stairs (stair ambulation) in older adults and younger adults. Design: This was a nonblinded, prospective, single-site, observational cohort study. Methods: Ten older (>65 years of age) and 10 younger (21–33 years of age) adults without disabilities were recruited. A dual-task approach was used for 2 task conditions: the first task was standing and responding verbally to an unanticipated auditory tone as quickly as possible (probe task), and the second task was ascending or descending a set of stairs with the same probe task. A 2-factor (group × task) analysis of variance with repeated measures on task (standing and stair ambulation) was performed for voice response time (VRT). Significance for the analysis was set at P<.05. Results: The group × task interaction was significant for VRT. Post hoc analyses indicated that during stair ambulation, the VRT for older adults was significantly longer than that for younger adults. For the standing task, the VRTs (X̅±SD) were similar for younger (322±65 milliseconds) and older (306±22 milliseconds) participants. For stair ascent and descent, the average VRTs were more than 100 milliseconds longer for older participants (493±113 and 470±127 milliseconds, respectively) than for younger participants (365±56 and 356±67 milliseconds, respectively). Limitations: Because of the small sample size and generally fit older group, generalization of findings to older people at risk for falls is not recommended until further research is done. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that although both older and younger adults required similar attentional resources for the standing task, older adults required significantly more resources during stair ambulation. The findings suggested that the dual-task method used here provided a clinically useful measure for detecting important changes in attentional demands in older adults who are healthy.

scholarly journals Age-related effects on a novel dual-task Stroop paradigm

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247923
Author(s):  
Nathan Ward ◽  
Erika Hussey ◽  
Reem Alzahabi ◽  
John G. Gaspar ◽  
Arthur F. Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Trial Type ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Secondary Task ◽  
Task Type ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Type Interaction ◽  
Font Color

The Stroop task is a traditional measure of cognitive control processes, yet results remain mixed when it comes to assessing age-related differences perhaps in part due to strategies participants use to reduce inhibitory control demands required for success on the task. Thirty-three older adults and 34 younger adults completed a Baseline (traditional, single-task) version of Stroop, followed by two, novel dual-task Stroop variants: Color-Dual (maintain secondary count of prespecified font color regardless the lexical content) and Lexical-Dual (maintain secondary count of prespecified word regardless the font color). With regard to Baseline performance, we predicted an Age x Trial Type interaction in which older adults would be selectively impaired on Incongruent trials compared to younger adults, and this prediction was supported. When we added secondary task demands, we predicted a Trial Type x Dual-Task Type interaction in which performance in the Lexical-Dual condition would be worse than performance in the Color-Dual condition. This prediction was also supported, suggesting that having a secondary task that activated the irrelevant stream of information required more inhibitory control. Finally, we also predicted that Age would interact with Trial Type and Dual-Task Type, which was partially supported in response latencies and more definitively supported in error rates. Overall, our results indicate that Stroop performance is differentially influenced by additional dual-task demands that potentially minimize strategy usage, which has implications for both young and older adult Stroop performance.

scholarly journals Association of Affect and Gait Performance in Dual-Task Walking in Non-Demented Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 287-287
Author(s):  
Deepan Guharajan ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Task Conditions

Abstract Aging populations are at increased risk to experience mobility disability, which is associated with falls, frailty, and mortality. Previous studies have not examined the concurrent associations of both positive and negative affect with gait velocity. We examined whether individual differences in positive and negative affect predicted dual-task performance decrements in velocity in a dual-task (DT) paradigm in non-demented older adults. We hypothesize that positive affect would be associated with lower DT costs, and negative affect would be associated with higher DT costs. Participants (N = 403; mean age, = 76.22 (6.55); females = 56%) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and a DT paradigm that involved three task conditions: Single-Task-Walk (STW), Alpha (cognitive interference requiring participants to recite alternate letters of the alphabet), and Dual-Task-Walk (DTW) requiring participant to perform the two single tasks concurrently. Gait velocity was assessed via an instrumented walkway. As expected, results of a linear mixed effects model (LME) showed a significant decline in gait velocity (cm/s) from STW to DTW (estimate = -11.79; 95%CI = -12.82 to -10.77). LME results further revealed that negative affect was associated with greater decline in gait velocity from STW to DTW (ie., worse DT cost) (estimate = -0.38; 95%CI = -0.73 to -0.03). Positive affect did not, however, predict DT costs in gait velocity (estimate = -0.09; 95%CI = -0.23 to 0.05). These findings suggest that increased negative affect interferes with the allocation of attentional resources to competing task demands inherent in the DT paradigm.

scholarly journals The Effect of Different Turn Speeds on Whole-Body Coordination in Younger and Older Healthy Adults

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2827
Author(s):  
Fuengfa Khobkhun ◽  
Mark Hollands ◽  
Jim Richards
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Onset Latency ◽  
Step Frequency ◽  
Step Size ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Mixed Model Analysis

Difficulty in turning is prevalent in older adults and results in postural instability and risk of falling. Despite this, the mechanisms of turning problems have yet to be fully determined, and it is unclear if different speeds directly result in altered posture and turning characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of turning speeds on whole-body coordination and to explore if these can be used to help inform fall prevention programs in older adults. Forty-two participants (21 healthy older adults and 21 younger adults) completed standing turns on level ground. Inertial Measurement Units (XSENS) were used to measure turning kinematics and stepping characteristics. Participants were randomly tasked to turn 180° at one of three speeds; fast, moderate, or slow to the left and right. Two factors mixed model analysis of variance (MM ANOVA) with post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed to assess the two groups and three turning speeds. Significant interaction effects (p < 0.05) were seen in; reorientation onset latency of head, pelvis, and feet, peak segmental angular separation, and stepping characteristics (step frequency and step size), which all changed with increasing turn speed. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed the main effects of speeds within the older adults group on those variables as well as the younger adults group. Our results suggest that turning speeds result in altered whole-body coordination and stepping behavior in older adults, which use the same temporospatial sequence as younger adults. However, some characteristics differ significantly, e.g., onset latency of segments, peak head velocity, step frequency, and step size. Therefore, the assessment of turning speeds elucidates the exact temporospatial differences between older and younger healthy adults and may help to determine some of the issues that the older population face during turning, and ultimately the altered whole-body coordination, which lead to falls.

scholarly journals The Association between High Neuroticism-Low Extraversion and Dual-Task Performance during Walking While Talking in Non-demented Older Adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 519-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany C. LeMonda ◽  
Jeannette R. Mahoney ◽  
Joe Verghese ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Dual Task Performance

AbstractThe Walking While Talking (WWT) dual-task paradigm is a mobility stress test that predicts major outcomes, including falls, frailty, disability, and mortality in aging. Certain personality traits, such as neuroticism, extraversion, and their combination, have been linked to both cognitive and motor outcomes. We examined whether individual differences in personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion predicted dual-task performance decrements (both motor and cognitive) on a WWT task in non-demented older adults. We hypothesized that the combined effect of high neuroticism-low extraversion would be related to greater dual-task costs in gait velocity and cognitive performance in non-demented older adults. Participants (N=295; age range,=65–95 years; female=164) completed the Big Five Inventory and WWT task involving concurrent gait and a serial 7’s subtraction task. Gait velocity was obtained using an instrumented walkway. The high neuroticism-low extraversion group incurred greater dual-task costs (i.e., worse performance) in both gait velocity {95% confidence interval (CI) [−17.68 to −3.07]} and cognitive performance (95% CI [−19.34 to −2.44]) compared to the low neuroticism-high extraversion group, suggesting that high neuroticism-low extraversion interferes with the allocation of attentional resources to competing task demands during the WWT task. Older individuals with high neuroticism-low extraversion may be at higher risk for falls, mobility decline and other adverse outcomes in aging. (JINS, 2015, 21, 519–530)

Dual Task Demands and Gist-Based False Recognition of Pictures in Younger and Older Adults

2001 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilma Koutstaal ◽  
Daniel L. Schacter ◽  
Carolyn Brenner
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
False Recognition ◽  
Task Demands

scholarly journals Functional Gait Assessment: Concurrent, Discriminative, and Predictive Validity in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 761-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane M. Wrisley ◽  
Neeraj A. Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Fall Risk ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Gait Assessment ◽  
Functional Gait ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

BackgroundThe Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) is a reliable and valid measure of gait-related activities.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent, discriminative, and predictive validity of the FGA in community-dwelling older adults.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study.MethodsThirty-five older adults aged 60 to 90 years completed the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) during one session. Falls were tracked by having participants complete a monthly fall calendar for 6 months. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine concurrent validity among the ABC, BBS, TUG, DGI, and FGA. To determine the optimum scores to classify fall risk, sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−) were calculated for the FGA in classifying fall risk based on the published criterion scores of the DGI and TUG and for the FGA, TUG, and DGI in identifying prospective falls. Receiver operator curves with area under the curve were used to determine the effectiveness of the FGA in classifying fall risk and of the DGI, TUG, and FGA in identifying prospective falls.ResultsThe FGA correlated with the ABC (r=.053, P&lt;.001), BBS (r=.84, P&lt;.001), and TUG (r=−.84, P&lt;.001). An FGA score of ≤22/30 provides both discriminative and predictive validity. The FGA (scores ≤22/30) provided 100% Sn, 72% Sp, LR+ of 3.6, and LR− of 0 to predict prospective falls.LimitationsThe study was limited by the length of time of follow-up and the small sample size that did not allow for evaluation of criterion scores by decade.ConclusionsThe FGA with a cutoff score of 22/30 is effective in classifying fall risk in older adults and predicting unexplained falls in community-dwelling older adults.

Quality of life (QOL) of older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Effects of treatment and time

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6566-6566
Author(s):  
M. Leach ◽  
M. Kowgier ◽  
H. Kermalli ◽  
A. Schattner ◽  
V. Gupta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Social Function ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Intensive Chemotherapy ◽  
European Organization ◽  
Modest Improvement ◽  
Over Time

6566 Background: AML in older adults has a poor prognosis. Although intensive chemotherapy may be associated with a modest improvement in survival, this needs to be balanced against possible worsening of QOL. However, published research in this area is limited. Methods: English-speaking patients aged 60 or older presenting with newly diagnosed AML to our referral centre were enrolled. Patients were excluded if life expectancy was <1 month. QOL was measured at baseline and at 1, 4, and 6 months. Questionnaires included the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 (global health and 5 QOL domains) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue subscale. Patients were stratified into intensive (IT) and non-intensive treatment (NIT) groups. Baseline scores between groups were compared using Student’s T-test. Repeated measures modeling was used to compare the groups over time. Results: From June 2003 to December 2005, 63 patients (mean age 72, 46 IT, 17 NIT) were enrolled. At baseline, physical function and social function were the most affected domains and most patients had moderate fatigue. IT patients had better physical function and slightly less fatigue at baseline than NIT patients but were similar in 4 QOL domains and global health scores. By 6 months, 44% of IT and 60% of NIT patients had died. Over time, global health, role function, and emotional function improved but physical function, social function, and cognitive function did not change. Improvements in QOL domains were similar for IT and NIT patients for all measures. Fatigue scores remained unchanged over time. Conclusion: Intensive chemotherapy is not associated with worse QOL than NIT in older patients with AML, although our small sample size and attrition bias may overestimate QOL among survivors. Concerns about worse QOL with IT appear to be unfounded and this should not deter clinicians from considering IT for older adults with AML. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals A Naturalistic Study of Driving Behavior in Older Adults and Preclinical Alzheimer Disease: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 277-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh M. Babulal ◽  
Sarah H. Stout ◽  
Tammie L. S. Benzinger ◽  
Brian R. Ott ◽  
David B. Carr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Driving Behavior ◽  
Driving Performance ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Clinical Consequence ◽  
Cognitively Normal ◽  
Preclinical Ad ◽  
One Year

A clinical consequence of symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is impaired driving performance. However, decline in driving performance may begin in the preclinical stage of AD. We used a naturalistic driving methodology to examine differences in driving behavior over one year in a small sample of cognitively normal older adults with ( n = 10) and without ( n = 10) preclinical AD. As expected with a small sample size, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups, but older adults with preclinical AD drove less often, were less likely to drive at night, and had fewer aggressive behaviors such as hard braking, speeding, and sudden acceleration. The sample size required to power a larger study to determine differences was calculated.

scholarly journals The relationship between chronic stress, emotion regulation and depressive symptoms in healthy older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivian Huang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
The Relationship

The current study examined the association between chronic stress (measured in allostatic load or AL), ER, and depressive symptoms in a group of community-dwelling older adults. It was hypothesized that chronic stress levels would mediate the relationship between ER and depressive symptoms. A total of 70 older adults aged 60 and older participated in the study. There were no significant associations found in the main analyses between the AL index and depressive symptoms, as well as no significant relationship was found between ER strategies and AL index, after controlling for age, sex, education, and perceived SES. However, perceived stress significantly mediated the relationship between maladaptive ER strategies and depressive symptoms, and the relationship between adaptive ER strategies and depressive symptoms. Given the small sample size and the lack of variability of the AL index, the study would benefit from a larger sample size to clarify the present results.

scholarly journals Effects of a Single Bout of Aquatic Exercise on Mood in Multiple Sclerosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 173-177
Author(s):  
Helen Genova ◽  
Rosalia Dacosta-Aguayo ◽  
Yael Goverover ◽  
Angela Smith ◽  
Chris Bober ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Aquatic Exercise ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Single Bout

Abstract Background: Physical activity is known to be an effective way of managing multiple sclerosis (MS)–related symptoms. Furthermore, it has been reported that even a single bout of physical activity can yield improvements in mood in persons with MS. Aquatic exercise can be an effective and enjoyable physical activity in persons with MS. However, there is little research on the immediate effects of aquatic exercise on mood in people with MS. Thus, we assessed the acute effects of a single bout of aquatic exercise on mood. Methods: Eight adults with MS participated in a 45-minute aquatic exercise class as well as 45 minutes of a seated rest control condition. The Profile of Mood States questionnaire was given before and after each condition (rest and aquatic exercise). Repeated-measures analysis of variance and paired-samples t tests were used to examine whether aquatic exercise resulted in improvement in mood. Due to the small sample size, effect sizes were considered. Results: Moderate-to-large effect sizes indicated a condition × time interaction such that mood increased and fatigue decreased after a single bout of aquatic exercise compared with after rest. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study suggests that mood symptoms are improved immediately after a short bout of aquatic exercise. Future research is needed to explore whether these effects are reliable and whether they can be sustained with more frequent bouts of aquatic exercise.

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