1
|
Langer A, Hansen C, Roth D, Santer A, Flotz A, Gruber J, Wizany L, Hasenauer S, Pokan R, Dabnichki P, Treven M, Zimmel S, Schmoeger M, Willinger U, Gassner L, Brücke C, Maetzler W, Zach H. Vertical locomotion improves horizontal locomotion: effects of climbing on gait and other mobility aspects in Parkinson's disease. A secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2024; 21:63. [PMID: 38678241 PMCID: PMC11055236 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the Climb Up! Head Up! trial, we showed that sport climbing reduces bradykinesia, tremor, and rigidity in mildly to moderately affected participants with Parkinson's disease. This secondary analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of sport climbing on gait and functional mobility in this cohort. METHODS Climb Up! Head Up! was a 1:1 randomized controlled trial. Forty-eight PD participants (Hoehn and Yahr stage 2-3) either participated in a 12-week, 90-min-per-week sport climbing course (intervention group) or were engaged in regular unsupervised physical activity (control group). Relevant outcome measures for this analysis were extracted from six inertial measurement units placed on the extremities, chest, and lower back, that were worn during supervised gait and functional mobility assessments before and after the intervention. Assessments included normal and fast walking, dual-tasking walking, Timed Up and Go test, Instrumented Stand and Walk test, and Five Times Sit to Stand test. RESULTS Compared to baseline, climbing improved gait speed during normal walking by 0.09 m/s (p = 0.005) and during fast walking by 0.1 m/s. Climbing also reduced the time spent in the stance phase during fast walking by 0.03 s. Climbing improved the walking speed in the 7-m- Timed Up and Go test by 0.1 m/s (p < 0.001) and the turning speed by 0.39 s (p = 0.052), the speed in the Instrumented Stand and Walk test by 0.1 m/s (p < 0.001), and the speed in the Five Times Sit to Stand test by 2.5 s (p = 0.014). There was no effect of sport climbing on gait speed or gait variables during dual-task walking. CONCLUSIONS Sport climbing improves gait speed during normal and fast walking, as well as functional mobility in people with Parkinson's disease. Trial registration This study was registered within the U.S. National Library of Medicine (No: NCT04569981, date of registration September 30th, 2020).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Langer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clint Hansen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Dominik Roth
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Agnes Santer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna Flotz
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jakob Gruber
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Laurenz Wizany
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sebastian Hasenauer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rochus Pokan
- Department of Sport Physiology, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Dabnichki
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Marco Treven
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Zimmel
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michaela Schmoeger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Willinger
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lucia Gassner
- Department of Sport Physiology, Institute of Sports Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, 3000, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christof Brücke
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Walter Maetzler
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein and Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Heidemarie Zach
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringerstrasse 18-21, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Aitken JA, Pagan O, Wong CM, Bayley B, Helton WS, Kaplan SA. Task-related and task-unrelated thoughts in runners and equestrians: Measurement issues in evaluations of thought content. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2023; 110:104011. [PMID: 36905727 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Much of the thought content and mind-wandering literature examines self-reported thought content's relationship with performance criteria in limited ways. Furthermore, retrospective reports about thought content may be influenced by the quality of one's performance. We explored these method issues in a cross-sectional study of individuals competing in a trail race and an equestrian event. Our results demonstrated that self-reports of thought content differed based on the performance context: whereas runners' task-related and task-unrelated thoughts were negatively correlated, equestrians' thought content showed no relationship. Moreover, equestrians in general reported fewer task-related and task-unrelated thoughts than runners. Finally, objective performance predicted task-unrelated thought (but not task-related thought) among runners, and an exploratory mediation test suggested the effect was partially mediated by performance awareness. We discuss the applied implications of this research for human performance practitioners.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John A Aitken
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, USA.
| | - Olivia Pagan
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, USA
| | - Carol M Wong
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, USA
| | - Brooke Bayley
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, USA
| | | | - Seth A Kaplan
- Department of Psychology, George Mason University, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Blakely MJ, Smith SL, Russell PN, Helton WS. Dual-task effects between tone counting and mathematical calculations. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2023; 111:104052. [PMID: 37216771 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2023.104052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We examined the impact of performing a tone counting task of varying cognitive loads and mathematical calculations simultaneously, compared to performance on the same tasks done individually. Participants performed continuous mathematical calculations, performed a high and a low cognitive load tone counting task, and also performed the math and counting tasks simultaneously. Performing the two tasks together resulted in significant dual-task interference. We also compared these results to previous studies employing the tone counting tasks with physically demanding tasks (climbing, kayaking and running). The interference between tone counting and mathematical calculations was worse than the interference between tone counting and running and kayaking. For climbing, the difference in interference was more nuanced with evidence indicating climbing uniquely asserts task prioritization. These findings have implications for operations requiring dual or multi-tasking.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Blakely
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Samantha L Smith
- Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Paul N Russell
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - William S Helton
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand; Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Blakely MJ, Smith SL, Russell PN, Helton WS. The impact of cognitive load on kayaking and kayaking on cognitive performance. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 102:103747. [PMID: 35306246 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the impact of performing a cognitive task of varying loads and kayaking simultaneously, compared to performance on the same tasks individually. BACKGROUND When two tasks are performed together, performance often suffers compared to performance on either task alone. Interference not only occurs in competing cognitive tasks, but has also been found with certain physically demanding activities, such as climbing. METHOD Skilled kayakers performed a kayak course on open water, performed a high and a low cognitive load tone counting task, and also performed the kayak and counting tasks simultaneously. RESULTS Despite some past research finding dual task facilitation with laboratory aerobic activities, simultaneous kayaking and tone counting led to dual-task interference. CONCLUSION Concurrent counting and kayaking led to performance impairments in both tasks, relative to single task performance. APPLICATION The present results are applicable to occupations involving concurrent demanding physical activity and cognitive task performance, such as the work of first responders and military operators. PRéCIS: Kayaking, like climbing, appears to hinder cognitive performance more than the low-risk physical tasks carried out in laboratory conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Blakely
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
| | - Samantha L Smith
- Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
| | - Paul N Russell
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand
| | - William S Helton
- Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand; Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ward MD, Helton WS. Dual-task interference while receiving information on a head mounted display and manual tracking with and without auditory warnings. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 101:103713. [PMID: 35168087 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dual-task interference is a concern when users attempt to use head mounted displays (HMD) while performing seated manual control tasks. Auditory warnings of information displayed on the HMD may or may not assist users while multi-tasking. OBJECTIVE In this study, we investigated the dual-task interference of words, to be remembered later, presented on a HMD and motor control in a manual tracking task. The word presentations were warned or not warned with auditory signals and the impact of audio warnings were examined. METHODS Participants were required to perform five tasks: (1) a compensatory tracking task performed alone, (2) a word memory task performed alone, (3) a tracking and word memory task, (4) a word memory task with words preceded by audial signals, and (5) a tracking and word memory task with words preceded by audial signals. In addition, in the dual-tasks, half of the word presentations were paired with directions changes in the tracking task to test for immediate perceptual interference. RESULTS There were significant dual task costs for both mean tracking error and later word recall. Additionally, participants took significantly longer to respond to motion changes paired with word presentations than motion changes not paired with word presentations. However, the impact of auditory warnings on tracking performance was nuanced. CONCLUSION Even with an in field of view transparent HMD momentary and sustained cognitive dual-task interference remains. Reaction times are affected most in the worst case scenario, when task critical events occur at the same time as a text message. APPLICATION The use of HMDs in time critical manual control tasks (such as operating machinery) should be limited. The use of audial warnings to alert operators to information displayed on an HMD requires further research; it may disrupt appropriate or natural task ordering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Ward
- University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.
| | | |
Collapse
|