Dual and triple tasks performance in institutionalized prefrail and frail older adults.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020;
35:1358-1366. [PMID:
32662207 DOI:
10.1002/gps.5375]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot study was to investigate differences on dual- and triple-task performance in institutionalized prefrail and frail older adults. Performance on these tasks is relevant since many activities of daily living involve simultaneous motor and cognitive tasks.
METHODS
We used a phenotypic description of frailty based on the presence or absence of five criteria related to physical fitness and metabolism (unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, muscle weakness, low gait speed, and low physical activity). Thirty-three institutionalized older adults (≥ 65 years, 78.8% females) were divided according to their frailty status. Participants completed cognitive tasks (a phonemic verbal fluency task and a visuospatial tracking task) while cycling on a stationary cycle (upper- and lower-extremity function was assessed). Cycling (number of arm and foot cycles) and cognitive (number of correct answers) performances were measured during single-, dual-, and triple-task conditions. Performances and costs of dual -and triple- tasking on cycling and cognitive performances were compared between prefrail and frail groups.
RESULTS
Prefrail and frail older adults did not differ in their performance in dual-tasks; however, frail older adults showed a poorer performance in the triple-task.
CONCLUSIONS
Although future studies need to confirm our observations in larger samples, this pilot study suggests that developing new tools based on triple tasking could be useful for the comprehensive assessment of frailty.
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