Work

Comparison of practice-related changes in dual task walking performance and neural efficiency between older adults with progressive and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Background There is limited research comparing both performance and brain control of walking between older adults with progressive and relapsing-remitting MS. Objective This study compared older adults with progressive and relapsing-remitting MS for differences in prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation in single- and dual-task-walking and practice-related effects on neural efficiency, walking, and cognitive performances. Methods Older adults with progressive ( n = 32, age=65±6ys) and relapsing-remitting ( n = 63, age=65±4ys) MS completed three conditions (single-task walk, single-task-alpha, i.e., cognitive interference task, and dual-task-walk) with three repeated trials wherein we measured PFC oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO 2 ), stride velocity and letter generation rate. Task, trial, and group effects and interactions were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Results The task-related (i.e. single-to-dual task walking) increase in PFC HbO 2 was greater in progressive than in relapsing-remitting MS ( p < 0.001), while the practice-related decrease in dual-task PFC HbO 2 was smaller in progressive than in relapsing-remitting MS ( p < 0.001). Progressive MS was associated with slower stride velocity overall, but repeated trials resulted in faster stride velocity and correct letter generation rate for both groups. Conclusions Practice-related improvements in cognitive and motor performances coupled with reduced PFC HbO 2 over dual-task walking trials suggest attenuated improvements of efficiency in brain control of attention-demanding locomotion in progressive MS.

Source: Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.106224

Authors: Manuel E Hernandez, Robert W Motl, Frederick W Foley, Meltem Izzetoglu, Mark Wagshul, Roee Holtzer