Dual-task effects of talking while walking on velocity and balance following a stroke

Background: therapists and nurses often use verbal instruction in the rehab ilitation of mobility following stroke. This study aimed to determine wheth er performing a verbal cognitive task while walking adversely affected pati ents' balance and velocity. Methods: there were two counterbalanced conditions: walking only and walkin g and concurrent cognitive activity. The cognitive activity used was to giv e one of two verbal responses to two verbal stimuli. An electronic GaitMat measured gait velocity and balance (double support time as a percentage of stride time). Results: 11 people with stroke participated in the study (five women and si x men, mean age 72 years, SD 9). They were on average 120 (SD 48) days post -stroke. Velocity decreased (P=0.017) and double-support time as a percenta ge of stride time increased (P=0.010) when the cognitive activity was added to the test. Conclusions: performing a verbal cognitive task while walking adversely aff ected stroke patients' balance and gait velocity. Susceptibility to disrupt ion within the patient group, suggesting clinical heterogeneity. Further re search is required before changes to clinical practice are justified.