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Several studies have reported the potential value of the dual-task concept during locomotion in clinical evaluation because cognitive decline is strongly associated with gait abnormalities. However, current dual-task tests appear to be insufficient for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment. Forty-nine subjects young, old, with or without mild cognitive impairment underwent cognitive evaluation Mini-Mental State Examination, Frontal Assessment Battery, five-word test, Stroop, clock-drawing and single-task locomotor evaluation on an electronic walkway.
They were then dual-task-tested on the Walking Stroop carpet, which is an adaptation of the Stroop colorβword task for locomotion.
A cluster analysis, followed by an analysis of variance, was performed to assess gait parameters. Locomotor abilities differed according to the group and dual-task conditions. Healthy subjects performed less well on dual-tasking under reading conditions than when they were asked to distinguish colors, whereas dysexecutive subjects had worse motor performances when they were required to dual task.
The Walking Stroop carpet is a dual-task test that enables early detection of cognitive fragility that has not been revealed by traditional neuropsychological tests or single-task walking analysis. Several authors have reported a causal relationship between the single-task motor abilities of older subjects and an advanced stage of dementia.
