Cortical Activation and Cognitive-Motor Learning

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dual-task; Healthy Adults
• Interventions: Behavioral: Dual-task training

• Registration Number: NCT04666181
• Lead Sponsor: East Carolina University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to assess the effects of dual-task training using a dynamic balance task and an auditory reaction time task on dual-task performance in healthy young adults and to assess the cortical activity within the prefrontal and sensorimotor cortices in response to dual-task training using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of a dual-task (combined motor-cognitive task) on dual-task performance of a complex dynamic stability task in healthy young adults and to assess the effects of dual-task training on cognitive-motor learning and cortical activation in healthy young adults. A dual-task is defined as concurrent performance of two tasks, usually a cognitive and motor task, that can be performed independently and have distinct and separate goals. Individuals engage in dual tasks every day and must allocate attentional resources to each task. While recognition of susceptibility to performance decrements in dual-task settings may be difficult, increased dual-task complexity is associated with decreased performance in one or both tasks. The well documented effects of dual-task practice represent a promising approach to improve dual-task performance for clinical populations such as individuals with neurological conditions or older individuals, in which complex multitask situations can increase fall risk due to hindered balance and walking performance. Similarly, young adults have demonstrated performance decrements while executing a dual-task that involved a combined balance and cognitive task. Research of dual-task training in healthy young cohort has indicated significant improvements in both motor and cognitive task performance in dual-task situations, suggesting the efficiency of this intervention strategy. However, most of these studies have investigated effects of a simple postural task combined with cognitive task training on dual-task performance. Effects of dual-task training using a complex dynamic postural stability task on dual-task performance of such complex task is lacking. Moreover, existing studies demonstrate conflicting evidence of dual-task training effects among healthy young adults since improvements in the motor task only have been largely reported. It is crucial to understand dual-task training effects on performance of a complex cognitive-motor task since postural control involves complex integration of somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems. Our experimental paradigm will challenge these systems; thus, findings of this study would inform our intervention strategies in a variety of populations ranging from athletes to individuals with neurological conditions.

Dynamic postural stability is an integral aspect of postural control and it involves complex interaction of prefrontal, somatosensory, vestibular, and visual systems. However, a motor task involving complex interaction of these systems combined with cognitive task challenges has not been investigated thoroughly. Moreover, neural activation within these cortical areas during dual-task performance and effects of dual-task training are largely unknown.

Since, coordinated control of the body requires integration of all these systems (i.e. prefrontal, somatosensory, vestibular, and visual), it is important to systemically study the interference of an additional attention-demanding task, such as an auditory stimulus reaction time task on interaction of these systems that may contribute to decreased postural stability. Moreover, it is important to investigate if training on such a complex dual-task can reduce motor-cognitive interference, improve postural stability, and optimize cortical activation in complex dual-task conditions.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2020-11-23
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-12-07
• Study First Posted: 2020-12-14
• Study Start: 2021-01-15
• Primary Completion: 2021-08-30
• Study Completion: 2021-11-30
• Status Verified: 2022-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-01-15
• Last Update Posted: 2022-01-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 18

Inclusion Criteria

1. Healthy young adults
2. Right-handed

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Exclusion Criteria

1. Individuals with cognitive deficits or communication problems
2. Individuals with impaired vision
3. Individuals with balance disorders such as vestibular disorders, etc.
4. Individuals with known cardiorespiratory dysfunctions
5. Individuals with presence of lower extremity condition, injury, or surgery within last 3 months which could compromise training
6. Individuals with history of concussion

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Dual-task training	Dual-task training	Dual-task training will consist of balancing on the dynamic stability platform and responding to auditory stimuli. Participants will perform 18 trials total in 3 blocks of 6 trials. Each trial will be 30 seconds (s) in duration followed by 30 s of rest (i.e. quiet standing on the platform while holding onto the rails.) Between each training block, the participant will step off the platform and rest for 2 minutes. Dual-task training will occur on consecutive visits 2-6.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in auditory reaction time task performance	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks. Shorter reaction time indicates better performance.	Average amount of time in seconds for a button press in response to an auditory tone
Change in balance task performance	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks	The average amount of time in seconds that a participant maintains the stability platform within 3 degrees of horizontal position during 6 trials of 30 sec each. The total score will range between 0-30 s. Higher balance score indicates better balance performance.
Change in dual-task performance	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks	Dual-task performance will assess performance on the combined auditory reaction time task and the balance task, i.e. performance under influence of dual-task situation.
Change in Cortical Activation	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks	The amount of change in cortical activity (change in oxyhemoglobin concentration in umol) within the prefrontal and sensorimotor cortices in response to dual-task training.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Errors in auditory reaction time task performance	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks	Error is a wrong button pressed in response to the auditory tone
Balance variability	Baseline to 10 days, and upto 3 weeks	The average amount of time in seconds on the left and right side of the dynamic stability platform outside of 3 degrees in the center during 6 trials of 30 seconds each. Smaller time on the right and left side indicates improvement in variability.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

East Carolina University; 🇺🇸 Greenville, North Carolina, United States