Dual-task Training in Older Adults

April 21, 2023 updated by: Keith Cole, George Washington University

Examination of a Novel Cognitive-motor Weight-bearing Dual-task Intervention in Older Adults

This study seeks to understand what factors influence the capacity to perform simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks in older adults to improve movement throughout their community with the least risk of injury. To function in the real world, one needs to "walk and talk", or to move about the community while attending to their environment. Navigating a busy environment becomes increasingly difficult due to the multitude of constraints placed on the organism by both the brain and the body that are associated with aging. Resulting lack of movement causes a downward spiral; further decreasing function and increasing risk of co-morbidities. This will impose an enormous cost on our healthcare system as the elderly population continues to grow in the United States. The investigators aim to investigate both cognitive and movement changes during aging to prevent declines in functional mobility. The investigators will do this through eight weeks training of simultaneous cognitive and motor tasks (cognitive-motor training).

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

In order to functionally move through one's community, it is vital to be able to perform simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks (cognitive-motor dual-task). This allows us to talk to another person, scan the environment for oncoming traffic, and avoid objects that are in our path when walking. This even allows high level sporting participation, such as predicting an opponents' path when sprinting and cutting to score a goal. Unfortunately, aging is associated with increased difficulty in performing cognitive-motor tasks. A classical example is when older adults stop walking in order to talk to another person. Several studies have established that an increase in age is associated with increased cognitive resources required to perform normally automatic motor tasks. Deficits in cognitive-motor dual-task capabilities have been observed not only in older adults, but also in those with neuromuscular compromise due to factors such as stroke and Parkinson's, and even with altered cognition in mild cognitive impairment and Attention Deficit Disorder.

Although these early investigations suggest a relationship between physical and cognitive capabilities, little is known regarding the appropriate level of cognitive task difficulty that will result in improvements or delays in learning a motor task. Conflicting results are noted in the few studies that have investigated this line of research. Some support that a concurrent cognitive task provides a context that facilitates motor learning, while other show that cognitive load prevents individuals from fully learning the motor task . Further, there are very few studies that investigate the effect of cognitive load on the transfer of motor learning to new task conditions for weight-bearing activities. Early evidence suggests that generalizability of learning diminishes the further participants are from the initial task conditions. Interestingly, cognition has been suggested to play a vital role in motor learning, performance, and dual-task capability. Working memory capacity, or the process that allows the maintenance and manipulation of information over a short period of time, has been shown to strongly relate to the rate at which younger adults learn motor sequences, and moderately relate the motor learning of older adults. Executive function, or the properties of cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and response maintenance, also plays a role in motor learning and performance. Decrements in executive function has been shown to precede mobility limitations, and might even predict gains in mobility from a physical intervention. Executive function may also predict a large portion of the variability when under the context of simultaneously having a cognitive load. There continues to be a lack of understanding of what cognitive capacity is required to perform simultaneous mobility and cognitive tasks with the least risk of injury, and what dose of intervention in both physical and cognitive realms are necessary to induce an improvement in function of both systems.

Purpose: To determine the impact an intervention using simultaneous cognitive and motor tasks on the capacity of healthy adults to improve in functional mobility and cognition.

Research Question: Does a cognitive-motor intervention impact functional mobility and cognition of healthy older adults?

Following obtaining consent from the subject, testing will take place three times a week for 8 weeks. Subjects are randomly assigned to one of each of the three groups: control group, simple cognitive group, or complex cognitive group.

Subjects will be informed that they are randomly assigned to one of three possible groups. Subjects will then be asked to perform either a visuomotor task only (control group), or a visuomotor task with a simultaneous cognitive task (simple cognitive group and complex cognitive group). The visuomotor task is the same regardless of group assignment. The difference in intervention between groups is based on the simultaneous task that the individual will perform: the control group will perform no cognitive task, the simple cognitive group will perform a task of counting a defined letter that appears on the screen, and the complex cognitive group will be assigned the task of counting two assigned letters that appear on the screen. The visuomotor task consists of performing a standing in-place march, lifting alternating knees to 60 degrees of hip flexion, eight cycles on each leg. A custom computer program displays a real-time video of the individual on the screen with an overlay of markers indicating computerized detection (Microsoft Kinect) of the knee joint. A prescribed marching rate is determined by an ellipse on the screen that prescribes the displacement (degrees of hip flexion) and rate of movement (speed) in which to move. Subjects will be allowed light touch for balance if required. One minute of seated rest will be provided between trials with the option of longer rest as needed. Video of the subject is saved in a de-identified format consisting of the view of the individual on the screen and the target task only during the duration of each individual trial. The cognitive task is displayed on the same screen as the motor task. Letters of different orientations and colors appear and disappear on the screen. Each of the 24 sessions will involve performing approximately 20 trials of the visuomotor and cognitive task (control group: visuomotor task only, intervention groups: visuomotor + cognitive task).

Additional details regarding the visuomotor and cognitive tasks are as follows. On the first day, 13th, and 24th days, subjects will perform 20 training trials at a medium speed of the marching task (training), followed by 5 trials of varying marching speeds (testing) by altering the speed (not the amplitude) of a target ellipse that moves on the screen. Then, subjects will be asked to perform one trial of each the simple and the complex cognitive tasks without performing the marching task (cognitive task only). On days 13, and 24 days, subjects will also perform the 5 testing trials under each of the other groups' cognitive task assignment (e.g. a subject assigned to the simple cognitive task group would first perform 5 training and 5 testing trials while performing the simple cognitive task, they would then perform 5 testing trials with the complex cognitive task followed by 5 trials while only performing the motor task). During all other days of the 24 interventions, subjects will perform 20 trials of the medium speed visuomotor task, performing only the cognitive task required of their assigned group.

Additionally, on the 1st,13th, and 24th day, the investigators will take height, weight, and use a scale that measures the participant's body fat percentage (by standing barefoot on the scale). Subjects will be asked to fill out questionnaires which will include information about medical, physical and social life, cognition, activity level, sleep quality and pain levels (see attached forms). Subjects will then be asked to undergo computerized testing of general cognitive function and perceived health via the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and PROMIS (via iPad app), and a paper-based assessment of cognition (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). During the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery test, subjects will sit comfortably in a chair with their arm resting on a table and will perform four tests: the Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (FLCAT), The List Sorting Working memory Test (LSWMT), The Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (DCCST), and the Processing Speed Test (PST). The FLCAT, DCCST, and PST tests require the user to select an object on the screen using their finger as quickly as possible; the LSWMT will require no movement, but to recite objects of animals and fruits that appear on the screen of the iPad. The Subjects are free to skip any questions or tests that they would prefer not to answer or complete. A test of balance is performed asking the individual to stand on a pressure sensitive mat (Zeno Mat) to record foot pressures and amount of body sway. They will be asked to stand in place with their 1) eyes open, 2) eyes closed, and 3) performing a cognitive task while standing on each foot (single limb stance). Subjects will then be asked to perform a Timed Up and Go (TUG) test under conditions of performing a cognitive task (TUG Cognitive), and without a secondary task (TUG). The TUG test consists of moving as quickly as possible through standing from sitting, walking 3 meters, turning around, and returning three meters to return to the starting seated position. Each test is usually performed in under 30 seconds. Subjects will then be asked to perform a 10-meter walk test, where in the middle of the 8 meters of self-selected walking, they will walk over a pressure sensitive mat (ZenoMat) to determine properties of gait. The 10m walk test will be perform with and without a simultaneous cognitive task at a speed that they feel is normal for them, and then as quickly as they can walk safely.

On days 1, 2, 13, and 24, the investigators will use wireless electrodes with a disposable adhesive interface will be placed over the alcohol abraded skin of lower extremity muscles in order to collect surface electromyography. Following placement of electrodes subjects will be asked to perform three maximal volitional isometric contraction (MVIC) for each muscle. Each MVIC is achieved by the experimenter applying manual resistance in serial with a hand-held dynamometer at the distal most portion of the segment (leg) to which the muscle attaches. The subject is then provided with verbal encouragement to move the limb being tested in the primary direction of muscle movement (eg. For the quadriceps muscles, resistance is applied to the distal tibia at the level of just proximal to the malleoli during knee extension). Between each maximal effort, 1-min rest will be provided to prevent fatigue.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • United States
    • District of Columbia
      • Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20006
        • Recruiting
        • The George Washington University, Department of Health, Human Function and Rehabilitation Science

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

60 years to 95 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Between 60 and 95 Years Old
  • Self-described as generally healthy
  • Normal or corrected to normal vision
  • Able to stand on one foot for at least 3 seconds with minimal sway and no loss of balance

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known neurologic disorder affecting mobility or cognition
  • Self-reported known moderate or greater lower extremity arthritis
  • Known disease process that affects muscle function
  • Color Blindness
  • Lower extremity pain in the previous 15 days
  • Known learning or attention deficit
  • Currently taking medication that affects attention, learning, and/or memory
  • Known Cardiovascular Disease of previous heart attack or cardiomyopathy
  • Chronic Kidney Disease
  • Severe Obesity as defined by a BMI of greater than or equal to 40 Kg/m2

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Dual Task One
Participants perform a cognitive-motor dual-task where the motor task is the same for all groups and the simultaneously performed cognitive task is simple.
Other: Cognitive-motor dual-task
While performing the "Motor Task" intervention, letters of different colors and orientation randomly appear one at a time on the screen. During the Cognitive-motor dual-task, individuals are instructed to count the number of times that either 1 (simple cognitive task), or 2 (complex cognitive task) characters appear on the screen during the motor task.
Experimental: Dual Task Two
Participants perform a cognitive-motor dual-task where the motor task is the same for all groups and the simultaneously performed cognitive task is complex.
Other: Cognitive-motor dual-task
While performing the "Motor Task" intervention, letters of different colors and orientation randomly appear one at a time on the screen. During the Cognitive-motor dual-task, individuals are instructed to count the number of times that either 1 (simple cognitive task), or 2 (complex cognitive task) characters appear on the screen during the motor task.
Active Comparator: Control
Participants perform only a motor-task that is the same for all groups (no simultaneous cognitive task).
Other: Motor Task
A visuomotor task is presented where an individual must match their knee to an ellipse that moves up and down on a screen, resulting in a marching-in-place motion at a specified frequency.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Timed Up and Go Tests in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Timed Up and Go, and Timed Up and Go Cognitive
Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in 10 meter walk test self-selected pace in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
self selected pace walking over an instrumented mat (ZenoMat) both single task and while counting serial 3's
Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Cognition in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Components of Cognitive Fluidity as measured by the NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery
Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Balance Test Performance in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Single Leg Stand with and without Cognitive Task
Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
change in 10 meter walk test fast pace in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Walking as fast as possible without running an instrumented mat (ZenoMat) both single task and while counting serial 3's
Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Muscle Electromyography in 4 week increments
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 and Week 8
Surface electromyography (sEMG) will be obtained by placing wireless Delsys Trigno electrodes on the skin over the muscles of the lower extremities (tibialis anterior, lateral gastrocnemius, Rectus Femoris, Vastus Medialis, Lateral Hamstrings, and Gluteus Maximus). EMG will used to measure muscle activity during the cognitive-motor dual-task in order to measure changes in neuromuscular control strategy as subjects learn to perform the task.
Baseline, Week 4 and Week 8

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

George Washington University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Keith Cole, DPT, Ph. D., The George Washington University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 3, 2022

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

December 31, 2023

Study Completion (Anticipated)

December 31, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 5, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 15, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 24, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 21, 2023

Last Verified

April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NCR213528

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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