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The sensitivity of dual-task performance to cognitive status in aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 2004

ROEE HOLTZER ,
RICHARD G. BURRIGHT  and
PETER J. DONOVICK
ROEE HOLTZER
Affiliation:
Cognitive Neuroscience Division of the Taub Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
RICHARD G. BURRIGHT
Affiliation:
Environmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, State University of New York at Binghamton
PETER J. DONOVICK
Affiliation:
Environmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, State University of New York at Binghamton
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Abstract

The present study examined dual-task performance in elders with cognitive impairments and normal controls. The participants (N = 60; M age = 84.6) were recruited from residential facilities and the community. They were assigned to one of three groups: (1) cognitive impairment; (2) residential facility control; (3) community control. Two different dual-task conditions were comprised of simple tests that are presumably processed via separate perceptual modalities: 1 visual–manual and 1 auditory–verbal. The first condition consisted of a visual cancellation test and an auditory digit span. The second condition was comprised of an alternate form of the visual cancellation test and letter fluency. MANOVA examined the effect of cognitive status (3-level independent variable) on 3 indices of dual-task performance (letter fluency, digit span, visual cancellation). Analyses controlled for age, education and performance on each test when performed alone. The results revealed that the cognitive impairment group incurred significantly greater dual-task costs compared to both control groups. Furthermore, as was evident from discriminant function analyses, the dual-task measures were very accurate and better than the traditional neuropsychological measures at discriminating elders with cognitive impairments from normal controls. (JINS, 2004, 10, 230–238.)

Keywords

Dual-taskAgingCognitive impairment
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , March 2004 , pp. 230 - 238
Copyright
© 2004 The International Neuropsychological Society

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