Balance and Cognitive-Motor Dual-Tasking in Multiple Sclerosis - V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An Investigation of Balance and Cognitive-Motor Dual-Tasking in Multiple Sclerosis
IRAS ID
181030
Contact name
Emma-Louise Butchard
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Highland
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Health-related quality of life is poor in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and associated with factors including, physical disability and cognitive impairment [Benito-Leon,2002]. Cognitive impairment is common in MS and adds considerably to disease burden [Summers,2008]. Cognition relates to memory, attention and thinking and describes how we do things such as concentrate [MS Society,2015].
People with MS may experience disorders of balance and co-ordination [Ashburn,1988]. Balance disorders cause difficulty with maintaining a standing posture and practical activities including walking; contributing to people with MS losing their balance and falling.
Evidence shows there are deficits in cognition and balance in MS but there is limited research regarding the association between these factors. Dual-task designs, where participants perform cognitive and motor tasks at the same time, are used to investigate any association between cognition and balance. A small amount of studies show dual-task performance is impaired in people with MS compared to control subjects [Jacobs,2012]; others show no impairment [Allali,2014].
The main aim of this study is to investigate whether individuals with MS have increased difficulties with balance under dual-tasking conditions (i.e. when engaged in a mental task) compared to control participants.
References:
Benito-Leon,J.(2002). Health-related quality of life and its relationship to cognitive and emotional functioning in multiple sclerosis patients. Euro J Neuro, 9,pp.497-502.
Summers,M;et al.(2008). Cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis can be predicted by imaging early in the disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 79, pp.955-958.
MS Society.(2015). Cognitive problems in MS. Available at:http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms/signs-and-symptoms/memory-and-thinking/cognitive-problems [Last accessed: 09/04/15].
Ashburn, A; De Souza, L.H.(1988). An approach to the management of multiple sclerosis. Physiother Pract, 4, pp.139-145.
Jacobs J.V; Kasser,S.L.(2012). Effects of dual-tasking on the postural performance of people with and without multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. J Neurol, 259,pp.1166-1176.
Allali,G; et al. (2014).Walking while talking in patients with multiple sclerosis: the impact of specific cognitive loads. Neurophysiol Clin, 44,pp.87-93.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0356
Date of REC Opinion
3 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion