Abstract des Autors

Objectives: To determine the reliability and effects of a dual-task paradigm on balance and cognitive function compared to a single-task paradigm. Design: Repeated measures. Methods: Healthy participants (n = 23) completed a variation of the Sensory Organization Test and the incongruent Stroop test individually (single-task) and concurrently (dual-task) during two testing sessions. Results: The Sensory Organization Test and incongruent Stroop test had moderate to high reliability (1.00 > ICC2,k > 0.60) under the dual-task conditions. Reaction time was significantly longer (t21 = −2.54, p = 0.019) under the dual-task conditions, while balance scores under one of the four conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (sway floor/fixed wall) were statistically better (t22 = −3.03, p = 0.006) under the dual-task conditions. However, this difference in balance scores may not be clinically meaningful. Conclusions: These findings illustrate that the Sensory Organization Test and incongruent Stroop task can be reliably incorporated into a dual-task assessment paradigm. The slowed reaction time under the dual-task paradigm indicates that the dual-task provided an additional cost to cognitive function. Dual-task concussion assessment paradigms involving these two tasks are psychometrically appropriate as well as more representative of actual sporting situations. However, more research should be conducted in a concussed population to further validate this claim. Verf.-Referat