Project R-11126

Effects of motor performance fatigability on cognitivemotor dual-task walking performance in persons with multiple sclerosis. (Research)

The simultaneous performance of a motor and cognitive task establishes a notable portion of most activities in daily life; therefore, cognitive-motor interference (CMI) assessed by dual-task cost (DTC) has been thought a valid marker of daily life impairment. Persons with MS (pwMS) suffer from a broad perspective of symptoms such as fatigue and fatigability, and these factors can interfere with walking and dual-tasking in daily life and can be overlooked in laboratory settings. The impact of a fatigability task on walking automaticity measured in terms of dual-task cost has not been studied yet in pwMS. This project aims to investigate the effects of motor performance fatigability task on dual-task performance in pwMS and involves two workpackages (WP). In WP1, it is planned to conduct a systematic review on the effects of experimentally induced fatigability on gait, balance, and dual-task performance in elderly and neurological diseases. WP2 consists of a large cross-sectional study on the effects of motor performance fatigability on dualtask walking performance in pwMS. DTC of 60 pwMS and 30 healthy participants will be assessed before and after an experimentally induced motor fatigability task and control intervention. Secondly, the relationship between change in the dual-task performance and daily life measures including participation and perceived difficulties of dual-tasking in daily life will be investigated.

01 July 2021 - 31 December 2023