Abstract
Objectives
To (1) examine and compare dual-task performance in patients with multiple sclerosis
(MS) and healthy controls (HCs) using mathematical problem-solving questions that
included an everyday competence component while performing an upper extremity fine
motor task; and (2) examine whether difficulties in dual-task performance are associated
with problems in performing an everyday internet task.
Design
Pilot study, mixed-design with both a within and between subjects' factor.
Setting
A nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and the community.
Participants
Participants (N=38) included persons with MS (n=19) and HCs (n=19) who were recruited
from a nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and from the community.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Participant were presented with 2 testing conditions: (1) solving mathematical everyday
problems or placing bolts into divots (single-task condition); and (2) solving problems
while putting bolts into divots (dual-task condition). Additionally, participants
were required to perform a test of everyday internet competence.
Results
As expected, dual-task performance was significantly worse than either of the single-task
tasks (ie, number of bolts into divots or correct answers, and time to answer the
questions). Cognitive but not motor dual-task cost was associated with worse performance
in activities of everyday internet tasks.
Conclusions
Cognitive dual-task cost is significantly associated with worse performance of everyday
technology. This was not observed in the motor dual-task cost. The implications of
dual-task costs on everyday activity are discussed.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
ANOVA (analysis of variance), AR (Actual Reality), DT (dual task), DTC (dual-task cost), HC (healthy control), MS (multiple sclerosis), ST (single task)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 03, 2017
Footnotes
Supported by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (grant nos. CA 1069-A-7, MB-0024).
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
