Dual Task of Fine Motor Skill and Problem Solving in Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) examine and compare dual-task performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls (HCs) using mathematical problem-solving questions that included an everyday competence component while performing an upper extremity fine motor task; and (2) examine whether difficulties in dual-task performance are associated with problems in performing an everyday internet task. DESIGN: Pilot study, mixed-design with both a within and between subjects' factor. SETTING: A nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and the community. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=38) included persons with MS (n=19) and HCs (n=19) who were recruited from a nonprofit rehabilitation research institution and from the community. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participant were presented with 2 testing conditions: (1) solving mathematical everyday problems or placing bolts into divots (single-task condition); and (2) solving problems while putting bolts into divots (dual-task condition). Additionally, participants were required to perform a test of everyday internet competence. RESULTS: As expected, dual-task performance was significantly worse than either of the single-task tasks (ie, number of bolts into divots or correct answers, and time to answer the questions). Cognitive but not motor dual-task cost was associated with worse performance in activities of everyday internet tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive dual-task cost is significantly associated with worse performance of everyday technology. This was not observed in the motor dual-task cost. The implications of dual-task costs on everyday activity are discussed.

The relationship between neuropsychological measures and the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living task in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can result in cognitive deficits and a loss of functional independence. To date, little research has linked the observed cognitive and behavioral deficits in MS, especially those in the processing speed domain, to performance on tasks of everyday functioning. The present study examined the relationship between neuropsychological test performance and performance on the Timed Instrumental Activities of Daily Living task (TIADL) in individuals with MS, and in healthy controls (HCs). The TIADL is a functional measure, which assesses both accuracy and speed in one's performance of everyday activities. The MS group performed significantly worse on the TIADL relative to the HC group. Additionally, TIADL scores of individuals with MS were significantly correlated with neuropsychological measures of processing speed. TIADL scores were not, however, correlated with neuropsychological measures of verbal episodic memory or working memory. These results indicate that the impairments in processing speed may contribute to impairments in activities of everyday living in persons with MS.

Effects of contextual interference and age on acquisition, retention, and transfer of motor skill.

This experiment was designed to investigate the varying conditions of contextual interference within three age groups. 40 5-yr.-olds, 40 7-yr.-olds, and 40 11-yr.-olds practiced the task of throwing beanbags under either low contextual interference (blocked practice), high contextual interference (random practice), or medium contextual interference (combined practice). All subjects performed 30 acquisition trials, 12 retention trials and 6 transfer trials. Analysis indicated that only the 7-yr.-old subjects differed in their performance in the various practice groups. As hypothesized and suggested by developmental theories, the combined and blocked practice groups acquired the task better. On the other hand, the 5- and 11-yr.-olds did not differ in performance in the different practice groups. Whether this is associated with difficulty of the task or the length of practice can be assessed in further study. Contextual interference in different age groups needs further investigation.