Impact of Dual Task Performance on Fear of Fall and Gait Parameters in Elderly

Abstract

Background and objectives: The successful execution of dual task situations depends on many factors and is affected by physiological degenerative processes. The completion of a secondary task while walking can be considered as key contributor for falls in the elderly. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of dual task performance on gait parameters, fear of fall among different age groups of elderly.Methods: Sixty elderly subjects with independent gait were evaluated while doing simple walking and dual task walking with cognitive, motor and cognitive motor gait demand in the study. The gait parameters namely time, speed and cadence were assessed using 10 meter walk test. Followed by every task, fear of fall was assessed using visual analog scale-fear of fall.Results: All the groups showed statistically significant difference in the gait parameters with addition of dual tasks. There was statistically significant difference among groups for number of step, time, speed and fear of fall (p value <0.01) for both simple and dual task. The mean dual task cost was highest in the dual task with cognitivemotor demand (49.35 ±0.418). Conclusion:The findings of the present study suggest that under dual task demand, elderly population shows greater variability of gait and increase in fear of fall. The deficits in dual task walking increases proportionally with age.