Article

While mobility aids (e.g., four-wheeled walkers) are designed to facilitate
walking and prevent falls in individuals with gait and balance impairments, there
is evidence indicating that walkers may increase attentional demands during
walking. We propose that walkers may reduce attentional demands under conditions
that challenge balance control. This study investigated the effect of walker use
on walking performance and attentional demand under a challenged walking
condition. Young healthy subjects walked along a straight pathway, or a narrow
beam. Attentional demand was assessed with a concurrent voice reaction time (RT)
task. Slower RTs, reduced gait speed, and increased number of missteps (>92% of
all missteps) were observed during beam-walking. However, walker use reduced
attentional demand (faster RTs) and was linked to improved walking performance
(increased gait speed, reduced missteps). Data from two healthy older adult cases
reveal similar trends. In conclusion, mobility aids can be beneficial by reducing
attentional demands and increasing gait stability when balance is challenged.
This finding has implications on the potential benefit of mobility aids for
persons who rely on walkers to address balance impairments.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS