The capacity to dual-task is critically important over the lifespan, enabling an individual to respond to demands in their environment, both safely and efficiently. While our knowledge of age-related differences in dual-tasking has advanced steadily over time, this work is largely based on dual-task paradigms that lack real-world representativeness. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize research investigating differences in locomotor-cognitive proportional dual-task costs (pDTC) between younger and older adults. Specifically, we were interested to know whether these effects would be more pronounced under conditions that are more representative of the real-world. A literature search was conducted to find relevant peer-reviewed papers published since 2011. Thirty-nine studies that compared pDTC between older and younger adults on a locomotor-cognitive dual-task were included. Study quality was assessed using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. pDTC were calculated for a total of 504 motor and 53 cognitive outcomes. Weighted means showed that older adults experienced larger pDTCs than younger adults for motor (mean difference = -6.97%) and cognitive (mean difference = -8.15%) outcomes. Velocity variability measures produced the largest group difference on motor pDTC (mean difference = -32.83%), as did cognitive tasks that were most representative of day-to-day activities (mean difference = -16.89%)In comparison to younger adults, older adults demonstrated greater pDTCs on motor outcomes, especially when the cognitive tasks were more representative of day-to-day activities. It is recommended that future research use paradigms that are sensitive to dual-task interference and more representative of real-world behaviour.

Authors:
Jona Mustafovska, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Peter Wilson, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Thomas McGuckian, Australian Catholic University, Australia
Michael Cole, Australian Catholic University, Australia

About the Presenter(s)
Jona is currently a PhD student and provisionally registered psychologist at Australian Catholic University. She completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree at Monash University, with a major in psychology.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jona-mustafovska-746a19140

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