The influence of cognitive tasks on sensory organization test performance / A influência das tarefas cognitivas no desempenho do teste de organização sensorial

Abstract Introduction: Many static postural tasks requiring vestibular contributions are completed while dual- tasking. Objective: We investigated the influence of dual-tasks on sensory integration for postural control and cognitive performance during the sensory organization test and examined the relationship between cognitive function and dual-task cost during the sensory organization test. Methods: Twenty adults completed single and dual-task versions of the six conditions of the sensory organization test were completed during two visits separated by one week. A subset of 13 participants completed three National Institute of Health (NIH)-toolbox cognitive tests including the Flanker inhibitory control and attention test, dimensional change card sort test and pattern comparison processing speed test. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare postural sway during single and dual-task sensory organization test. Friedman's test, with pairwise comparison post-hoc tests, was used to compare single task serial subtraction performance to the 6 dual-task sensory organization test conditions. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance on NIH-toolbox test and postural and cognitive dual-task cost during the sensory organization test. Results: Performing a cognitive dual-task during the sensory organization test resulted in a significant increase in postural sway during condition 1 (Z = −3.26, p = 0.001, ES = 0.73), condition 3 (Z = −2.53, p = 0.012, ES = 0.56), and condition 6 (Z = −2.02, p = 0.044, ES = 0.45). Subtraction performance significantly decreased in during condition 6 (Z = −2.479, p = 0.011, ES = 0.55) compared to single-task. The dimensional change card sort test demonstrated moderate correlations with dual-task cost of serial subtraction performance in condition 5 (dimensional change card sort test: r = −0.62, p = 0.02) and condition 6 (dimensional change card sort test: r= −0.56, p = 0.04). Pattern comparison processing speed test scores were significantly correlated with dual-task cost of postural control during condition 2. Conclusion: Performing a cognitive task during the sensory organization test resulted in significantly increased postural sway during three conditions, particularly during visual environment manipulation oppose to vestibular and somatosensory manipulation. Cognitive performance decreased during the most complex sensory organization test condition. Additionally, we found participants with poorer executive function had greater dual-task cost during more complex sensory integration demands.

Resumo Introdução: Muitas tarefas posturais estáticas que requerem contribuições vestibulares são feitas durante a dupla tarefa. Objetivo: Investigamos a influência da dupla tarefa na integração sensorial para o controle postural e desempenho cognitivo durante o teste de organização sensorial e examinamos a relação entre a função cognitiva e o custo da dupla tarefa durante o teste de organização sensorial. Método: Vinte adultos completaram versões da tarefa única e dupla tarefa das seis condições do teste de organização sensorial, que foram concluídas em duas consultas com um intervalo de uma semana. Um subgrupo de 13 participantes completou três testes cognitivos do NIH-toolbox, inclusive o flanker inhibitory control and attention test, dimensional change card sort test e o pattern comparison processing speed test .O teste de postos sinalizados de Wilcoxon foi usado para comparar a oscilação postural durante o teste de organização sensorial de tarefa única e dupla. O teste de Friedman, com testes post hoc de comparação pareada, foi usado para comparar o desempenho da subtração em série de tarefa única para as 6 condições do teste de organização sensorial de dupla tarefa. Os coeficientes de correlação de Spearman foram usados para avaliar a relação entre o desempenho cognitivo no teste NIH-toolbox e o custo da dupla tarefa postural e cognitivo durante o teste de organização sensorial. Resultados: A feitura de uma dupla tarefa cognitiva durante o teste de organização sensorial resultou em um aumento significativo na oscilação postural durante a condição 1 (Z = -3,26, p = 0,001, TE = 0,73), condição 3 (Z = -2,53, p = 0,012, TE = 0,56) e condição 6 (Z = -2,02, p = 0,044, TE = 0,45). O desempenho de subtração diminuiu significativamente durante a condição 6 (Z =-2,479, p = 0,011, TE = 0,55) em comparação com a tarefa única. O dimensional change card sort test demonstrou correlações moderadas com o custo da dupla tarefa de desempenho de subtração em série na condição 5 (dimensional change card sort test: r=-0,62, p = 0,02) e condição 6 (dimensional change card sort test: r = -0,56, p = 0,04). Os escores do pattern comparison processing speed test foram significativamente correlacionados com o custo da dupla tarefa do controle postural durante a condição 2. Conclusão: A feitura de uma tarefa cognitiva durante o teste de organização sensorial resultou em um aumento significativo na oscilação postural em três condições, principalmente durante a manipulação do ambiente visual em oposição à manipulação vestibular e somatossensorial. O desempenho cognitivo diminuiu durante a condição de teste de organização sensorial mais complexa. Além disso, observamos que os participantes com função executiva pior apresentaram maior custo da dupla tarefa durante demandas de integração sensorial mais complexas.

The influence of cognitive tasks on sensory organization test performance.

INTRODUCTION: Many static postural tasks requiring vestibular contributions are completed while dual- tasking. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the influence of dual-tasks on sensory integration for postural control and cognitive performance during the sensory organization test and examined the relationship between cognitive function and dual-task cost during the sensory organization test. METHODS: Twenty adults completed single and dual-task versions of the six conditions of the sensory organization test were completed during two visits separated by one week. A subset of 13 participants completed three National Institute of Health (NIH)-toolbox cognitive tests including the Flanker inhibitory control and attention test, dimensional change card sort test and pattern comparison processing speed test. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare postural sway during single and dual-task sensory organization test. Friedman's test, with pairwise comparison post-hoc tests, was used to compare single task serial subtraction performance to the 6 dual-task sensory organization test conditions. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between cognitive performance on NIH-toolbox test and postural and cognitive dual-task cost during the sensory organization test. RESULTS: Performing a cognitive dual-task during the sensory organization test resulted in a significant increase in postural sway during condition 1 (Z=-3.26, p=0.001, ES=0.73), condition 3 (Z=-2.53, p=0.012, ES=0.56), and condition 6 (Z=-2.02, p=0.044, ES=0.45). Subtraction performance significantly decreased in during condition 6 (Z=-2.479, p=0.011, ES=0.55) compared to single-task. The dimensional change card sort test demonstrated moderate correlations with dual-task cost of serial subtraction performance in condition 5 (dimensional change card sort test: r=-0.62, p=0.02) and condition 6 (dimensional change card sort test: r=-0.56, p=0.04). Pattern comparison processing speed test scores were significantly correlated with dual-task cost of postural control during condition 2. CONCLUSION: Performing a cognitive task during the sensory organization test resulted in significantly increased postural sway during three conditions, particularly during visual environment manipulation oppose to vestibular and somatosensory manipulation. Cognitive performance decreased during the most complex sensory organization test condition. Additionally, we found participants with poorer executive function had greater dual-task cost during more complex sensory integration demands.

The Influence of Cognitive Dual Tasks on Concussion Balance Test Performance.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of a cognitive dual task on postural sway and balance errors during the Concussion Balance Test (COBALT). METHODS: Twenty healthy adults (12 females, eight males; aged 21.95 ± 3.77 years; height = 169.95 ± 9.95 cm; weight = 69.58 ± 15.03 kg) partook in this study and completed single- and dual-task versions of a reduced COBALT. RESULTS: Sway velocity decreased during dual-task head rotations on foam condition (p = .021, ES = -0.57). A greater number of movement errors occurred during dual-task head rotations on firm surface (p = .005, ES = 0.71), visual field flow on firm surface (p = .008, ES = 0.68), and head rotations on foam surface (p < .001, ES = 1.61) compared with single-task conditions. Cognitive performance was preserved throughout different sensory conditions of the COBALT (p = .985). DISCUSSION: Cognitive dual tasks influenced postural control and destabilized movements during conditions requiring advanced sensory integration and reweighting demands. Dual-task versions of the COBALT should be explored as a clinical tool to identify residual deficits past the acute stages of concussion recovery.