Older adults with and without stroke reduce cadence to meet the demands of talking

Patricia S. Pohl, Susan Kemper, Catherine F. Siengsukon, Lara Boyd, Eric Vidoni, Ruth E. Herman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: Cognitive tasks performed while walking can be challenging for older adults, especially for those with stroke. Conversational speech requires attention and working memory. The purpose of this study was to examine how older adults with and without stroke meet the demands of walking while talking. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults, 12 without stroke and 24 with, were videotaped walking an irregular elliptical pathway. Audio recordings were made as subjects discussed topics such as describing a memorable vacation. Each participant performed in single and dual task conditions: speaking, walking, and speaking while walking. Primary measures of interest included cadence and speech rate. Components of languageincluding measures of fluency, grammatical complexity, and semantic content were analyzed to examine additional changes in speech. Paired t-tests were used to compare single and dual task performance for each group. Group differences for dual task effects were examined with independent sample t tests. Results: Cadence decreased with the addition of talking for those without stroke, P < .007, and those with stroke, P < .001. Speech rates did not change with walking for either group; those without stroke did not alter the language components. Participants with stroke reduced the grammatical complexity and semantic content of speech when walking, P 's < .013. Those without stroke spent more time doing both tasks at once than those with stroke, P < .023. Conclusion: Clinicians can expect older adults to reduce walking speed to meet the demands of walking and talking. Older adults with stroke may use additional strategies to walk and talk simultaneously.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)35-40
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Geriatric Physical Therapy
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cognition
  • Dual task
  • Gait

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rehabilitation
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Older adults with and without stroke reduce cadence to meet the demands of talking'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this