Effects Of Dual Task Walking On Postural Control In Community-Elderly:A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective:This cross-sectional study investigated the single-task and dual-task gait patterns in community elders by applying three-dimensional gait analysis.The specific aims of this study were to provide reference for abnormal gait identification in community-living elderly people by comparing the two mentioned gait tasks;and then to make targeted rehabilitation plans and help prevent fall.Methods:Twenty five participants were recruited from the community around Ping Shan campus of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese medicine from April 2018 to August 2018.Three-dimensional gait analysis system was used to collect and analyze the gait parameters under both single-task and dual-task walking in community elderly.Compare the gait characteristics of the elderly between single-task and dual-task walking.SPSS21.0 software was used for statistics analysis,which was examined by bilateral tests,and P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results:1.In terms of the spatial-temporal parameters,participants' walking speed,left cadence,step length and stride length during dual-task walking is lower than that of the single task(P<0.05);step time,support phase,support time and initial double stance is significantly increased(P<0.05);and there is no statistical difference in other parameters(P>0.05).2.In terms of the variability of spatial-temporal parameters,the variability of the step length and step length time on the left side are increased in the dual-task condition(P<0.05),and there was no statistical difference in other parameters(P>0.05).3.In terms of the kinematics parameters,the sagittal ROM of the elbow and right foot progression angle were significantly increased during dual-task gait(P<0.05),the sagittal ROM of the pelvis,hip and knee joint were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and there was no statistical difference in the remaining parameters(P>0.05).4.In terms of the kinetic parameters,the PHAM1(first peak hip abduction moment),PEKAM1(first peak external knee adduction moment),right ankle evertor moment,hip and knee extensor moment,and the left PEKAM2(second peak external knee adduction moment)during dual-task gait were significantly lower than that of the single task(P<0.05),and there was no statistical difference in residual parameters(P>0.05).5.The linear relationship regression model established by the independent variables and the dependent variable "walking speed" has significant statistical significance(F=32.033,P<0.001,adjusted R squared=0.838),The range of motion in the sagittal plane of the left hip joint is the main factor affecting the walking speed.Conclusion:1.This study reveals that under the condition of dual task,the attention of the elderly in the community is obviously dispersed,and the ability of posture control decreases,which leads to the decrease of gait performance of the elderly in the community.2.The impact of dual tasks on older people in the community is mainly in the hip joint,suggesting that older people in the community can exercise their hip function in order to improve their posture control ability.3.As the most important indicator to reflect the walking ability of elderly people in the community,the change of walking speed has the strongest correlation with the change of sagittal plane ROM of the hip joint.