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Sirhan B1, Frid L2, Kalron A1,2
1Tel Aviv University, Depatment of Physical Therapy, Tel Aviv, Israel, 2Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Physical Rehabilitation Research Unit, Tel HaShomer, Israel
Background: Text messaging on cellular devices has become a universal activity. It has been speculated that people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are not distinct from the general population in terms of mobile device usage. However, because these individuals frequently suffer from walking, balance and cognitive limitations, even at the early phases of the disease, it is reasonable to assume that PwMS are at a higher risk of encountering hazards which accompany walking and texting.
Purpose: The primary aim of this research was to investigate cognitive motor interference of walking while texting in PwMS.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel and comprised a convenience sample of 30 PwMS and 15 healthy controls. The investigation included: cognitive assessment; texting assessment based on 100 typed characters; gait assessment under two different conditions: normal walking and walking and texting. Main measures included the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to assess cognition. Texting measures included accuracy (%) and duration(s). Gait was assessed with axial accelerometers to quantify temporal measures. The dual task cost percentage for the walking tests and texting accuracy was determined by calculating the percentage change from a single task to a double task.
Results: For all participants, the velocity, cadence and stride length were found lower in the walking-texting condition compared to the normal walking condition. Similar findings were observed for turning velocity and duration. Significant differences were found in 5 (out of 10) gait measures for the condition x group factor, denoting that the impact of texting while walking on gait measures was significantly higher in the PwMS participants compared to the healthy controls. The PwMS's texting was significantly less accurate while sitting and walking compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, PwMS texted slower in the sitting position compared to the healthy participants. According to the univariate regression analysis, a significant association was found in the PwMS group between the SDMT and texting accuracy in the sitting position (R2=0.564, p=0.014) and while walking (R2=0.534, p=0.033).
Conclusion(s):
Implications: This study may lead to the development of a valid walking-and-texting assessment tool and the creation of a mobile application specifically designed for the MS population that would provide accurate data on walking in combination with texting performance. A further development would include establishing an improved motor-cognitive marker which could indicate the risk of accidental falls in PwMS. Moreover, this study should enhance novel rehabilitation programs directed at improving walking, cognition and the walking-texting function itself.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Dual-task, Gait
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was provided for the study
Purpose: The primary aim of this research was to investigate cognitive motor interference of walking while texting in PwMS.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel and comprised a convenience sample of 30 PwMS and 15 healthy controls. The investigation included: cognitive assessment; texting assessment based on 100 typed characters; gait assessment under two different conditions: normal walking and walking and texting. Main measures included the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to assess cognition. Texting measures included accuracy (%) and duration(s). Gait was assessed with axial accelerometers to quantify temporal measures. The dual task cost percentage for the walking tests and texting accuracy was determined by calculating the percentage change from a single task to a double task.
Results: For all participants, the velocity, cadence and stride length were found lower in the walking-texting condition compared to the normal walking condition. Similar findings were observed for turning velocity and duration. Significant differences were found in 5 (out of 10) gait measures for the condition x group factor, denoting that the impact of texting while walking on gait measures was significantly higher in the PwMS participants compared to the healthy controls. The PwMS's texting was significantly less accurate while sitting and walking compared to the healthy controls. Furthermore, PwMS texted slower in the sitting position compared to the healthy participants. According to the univariate regression analysis, a significant association was found in the PwMS group between the SDMT and texting accuracy in the sitting position (R2=0.564, p=0.014) and while walking (R2=0.534, p=0.033).
Conclusion(s):
- The dual task cost of walking and texting appears to be unique in people with multiple sclerosis
- Texting by multiple sclerosis participants while walking resulted in a significantly slower walking speed and shorter strides.
- People with multiple sclerosis generated over twice as much texting errors during walking compared to sitting.
Implications: This study may lead to the development of a valid walking-and-texting assessment tool and the creation of a mobile application specifically designed for the MS population that would provide accurate data on walking in combination with texting performance. A further development would include establishing an improved motor-cognitive marker which could indicate the risk of accidental falls in PwMS. Moreover, this study should enhance novel rehabilitation programs directed at improving walking, cognition and the walking-texting function itself.
Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Dual-task, Gait
Funding acknowledgements: No funding was provided for the study
Topic: Neurology; Human movement analysis; Disability & rehabilitation
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
Ethics committee: Sheba IRB
Ethics number: 3213-16-SMC
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
