Neurophysiological mechanisms and perspective for the use of dual tasks inrecovering cognitive function after cardiac surgery

Abstract

This review encompasses current trends regarding the use of dual tasks in recovering of cognitive functions in patients with ageassociated cognitive decline, traumatic brain injury and brain ischemia. The dual task represents a cognitive rehabilitation approach which implies the simultaneous execution of physical activity (walking, running or postural training) and cognitive tasks (internal counting, short-term memory and attention tasks, divergent tasks). Dual tasks with the simultaneous involvement of motor and cognitive functions are associated with specific features of brain activity and permit evaluation of the brain compensatory resources both in the normal state and in ageassociated cognitive decline or ischemic/ traumatic injury. The review also describes the basic neurophysiological mechanisms of the dual task-associated action on cognitive functions including transfer and interference. Performing of complex, multidirectional tasks provides a more efficient coordination of cognitive processes and improves the opportunities for successful cognitive functioning. The work underlines the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in cardiac surgery patients and shows the prospects of using dual tasks for the postoperative cognitive recovery. We assume that the rehabilitation using dual tasks involving brain areas providing executive control, working memory, attention and motor control can result in a pronounced cognitive recovery in cardiac surgery patients with cognitive impairment.