An interventional study of Dual-task training in Dual-task and Healthy Adults, sponsored by East Carolina University. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 40 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-01-19.
Sponsored by East Carolina University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
The purpose of this research study is to assess the effects of dual-task training using a dynamic balance task and an auditory reaction time task on dual-task performance in healthy young adults and to assess the cortical activity within the prefrontal and sensorimotor cortices in response to dual-task training using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of a dual-task (combined motor-cognitive task) on dual-task performance of a complex dynamic stability task in healthy young adults and to assess the effects of dual-task training on cognitive-motor learning and cortical activation in healthy young adults. A dual-task is defined as concurrent performance of two tasks, usually a cognitive and motor task, that can be performed independently and have distinct and separate goals. Individuals engage in dual tasks every day and must allocate attentional resources to each task. While recognition of susceptibility to performance decrements in dual-task settings may be difficult, increased dual-task complexity is associated with decreased performance in one or both tasks. The well documented effects of dual-task practice represent a promising approach to improve dual-task performance for clinical populations such as individuals with neurological conditions or older individuals, in which complex multitask situations can increase fall risk due to hindered balance and walking performance. Similarly, young adults have demonstrated performance decrements while executing a dual-task that involved a combined balance and cognitive task. Research of dual-task training in healthy young cohort has indicated significant improvements in both motor and cognitive task performance in dual-task situations, suggesting the efficiency of this intervention strategy. However, most of these studies have investigated effects of a simple postural task combined with cognitive task training on dual-task performance. Effects of dual-task training using a complex dynamic postural stability task on dual-task performance of such complex task is lacking. Moreover, existing studies demonstrate conflicting evidence of dual-task training effects among healthy young adults since improvements in the motor task only have been largely reported. It is crucial to understand dual-task training effects on performance of a complex cognitive-motor task since postural control involves complex integration of somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems. Our experimental paradigm will challenge these systems; thus, findings of this study would inform our intervention strategies in a variety of populations ranging from athletes to individuals with neurological conditions.
Dynamic postural stability is an integral aspect of postural control and it involves complex interaction of prefrontal, somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems. However, a motor task involving complex interaction of these systems combined with cognitive task challenges has not been investigated thoroughly. Moreover, neural activation within these cortical areas during dual-task performance and effects of dual-task training are largely unknown.
Since, coordinated control of the body requires integration of all these systems (i.e. prefrontal, somatosensory, vestibular, and visual), it is important to systemically study the interference of an additional attention-demanding task, such as an auditory stimulus reaction time task on interaction of these systems that may contribute to decreased postural stability. Moreover, it is important to investigate if training on such a complex dual-task can reduce motor-cognitive interference, improve postural stability, and optimize cortical activation in complex dual-task conditions.
East Carolina University is the lead sponsor of 83 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Dual-task training will consist of balancing on the dynamic stability platform and responding to auditory stimuli. Participants will perform 18 trials total in 3 blocks of 6 trials. Each trial will be 30 seconds (s) in duration followed by 30 s of rest (i.e. quiet standing on the platform while holding onto the rails.) Between each training block, the participant will step off the platform and rest for 2 minutes. Dual-task training will occur on consecutive visits 2-6.
Behavioral: Dual-task training
See descriptions under arm description. The dual-task training will occur across a total of 5 consecutive workday visits.
Change in auditory reaction time task performance
Average amount of time in seconds for a button press in response to an auditory tone
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks. Shorter reaction time indicates better performance.
Change in balance task performance
The average amount of time in seconds that a participant maintains the stability platform within 3 degrees of horizontal position during 6 trials of 30 sec each. The total score will range between 0-30 s. Higher balance score indicates better balance performance.
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks
Change in dual-task performance
Dual-task performance will assess performance on the combined auditory reaction time task and the balance task, i.e. performance under influence of dual-task situation.
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks
Change in Cortical Activation
The amount of change in cortical activity (change in oxyhemoglobin concentration in umol) within the prefrontal and sensorimotor cortices in response to dual-task training.
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks
Errors in auditory reaction time task performance
Error is a wrong button pressed in response to the auditory tone
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks
Balance variability
The average amount of time in seconds on the left and right side of the dynamic stability platform outside of 3 degrees in the center during 6 trials of 30 seconds each. Smaller time on the right and left side indicates improvement in variability.
Time frame: Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks
Documents are hosted by the registry — open the source record to download them.
Plan to share: Yes — IPD will share after the completion of the study upon request to the PI.
Supporting information: Study protocol, Icf
This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2022. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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East Carolina University