Dual-task walking and automaticity after Stroke: Insights from a secondary analysis and imaging sub-study of a randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
To determine if initial walking speed influences dual-task performance after a walking intervention, hypothesizing that slow walking speed limits executive resource availability for gait control.
Results Summary
Single-task walking improved in both groups, but the study suggests that individuals who walk slowly may struggle to improve dual-task walking ability.
Population
Adults six-months post-stroke with walking impairment.
Effective Dosage
Twenty sessions of 30-minute treadmill walking over 10 weeks.
Duration
10 weeks
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
treadmill walking over 10 weeks without cognitive distraction | increase | ST walking | Adults six-months post stroke with walking impairment | - | improved | #1 |
treadmill walking over 10 weeks with cognitive distraction | increase | ST walking | Adults six-months post stroke with walking impairment | - | improved | #2 |
OBJECTIVE: To test the extent to which initial walking speed influences dual-task performance after walking intervention, hypothesising that slow walking speed affects automatic gait control, limiting executive resource availability. DESIGN: A secondary analysis of a trial of dual-task (DT) and single-task (ST) walking interventions comparing those with SETTING: Community. SUBJECTS: Adults six-months post stroke with walking impairment. INTERVENTIONS: Twenty sessions of 30 minutes treadmill walking over 10 weeks with (DT) or without (ST) cognitive distraction. MAIN MEASURES: A two-minute walk with (DT) and without (ST) a cognitive distraction assessed walking. RESULTS: ST walking improved in both groups (∆baseline: CONCLUSION: In individual who walk slowly it may be difficult to improve dual-task walking ability.