Development of a system for the assessment of a dual-task performance based on a motion-capture device

Abstract

The authors produced a dual task (DT) that provided a dynamic balance task and a cognitive task in a game system using motion sensors and virtual images. There had been no DT where a cognitive task needs a dynamic balance task that requires full-body motions. We developed and evaluated a game system to assess the performance of the DT. The DT was to solve a Sudoku puzzle using full-body motions like Tái Chi. An ability to perform a DT is intimately related to risk of falls. To evaluate the developed system, we compared the performance of elderly people and young people. Generally, elderly people are at a higher risk of falls. Twenty elderly community-dwelling adults (mean age, 73.0 ± 6.2 years) and 16 young adults (mean age, 21.8 ± 1.0 years) participated in this study. To compare the two groups, we applied an independent-samples t-test. The time taken for the elderly people was 60.6 ± 43.2 s, whereas the time taken for the young people was 16.0 ± 4.8 s. The difference is statistically significant (p < 0.05). This result suggests that the developed game system is useful for the evaluation of the DT performance.

Effect of a Kinect-Based Exercise Game on Improving Executive Cognitive Performance in Community-Dwelling Elderly: Case Control Study

“…The DTTC test [ 8 - 10 ] requires users to solve a number placement problem (Sudoku) by controlling a stick figure with the movement of their entire body. The user’s full-body motion is captured using Kinect and is translated into movements for the stick figure on a screen.…”

“…With a focus on DT, we developed a new concept called the Dual-Task Tai Chi (DTTC) test [ 8 ]. This system was developed using Kinect (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA), a motion-capture device, and demonstrated that the DTTC test quantitatively evaluates compound functions, including DT, balance, and cognitive abilities in elderly people [ 9 ].…”

Effect of a Kinect-based exercise game on improving executive cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly

“…The DTTC test [8][9][10] requires users to solve a number placement problem (Sudoku) by controlling a stick figure with the movement of their entire body. The user's full-body motion is captured using Kinect and is translated into movements for the stick figure on a screen.…”

Concept Software Based on Kinect for Assessing Dual-Task Ability of Elderly People

“…A pilot experiment indicated that the test-retest reliability for completion time was considerably high (inter-trial correlation coefficient, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97; P < 0.001). 14…”

“…We developed a new concept device to assess DT ability and named it the ''Dual-Task Tai Chi'' (DTTC) test. 14 To quantify DT skill, we developed this system using Kinect, a motion-capture device. We chose Tai Chi as a locomotive task and Sudoku as a cognitive task.…”