Effect of concurrent cognitive tasks on temporo-spatial parameters of gait among children with cerebral palsy and typically developed controls

Objective: To assess the influence of different concurrent cognitive tasks on gait characteristics in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developed (TD) controls. Methods: Eleven children with CP and eleven TD controls walked under three conditions: at a self-selected speed, at a self-selected speed while memorizing and recalling a series of three random numbers, at a self-selected speed while listening and identifying commonly experienced sounds. Gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite® system. Results: Children with CP walked slower in both assignments as compared to baseline walking; TD controls reduce walking velocity only during the sounds assignment. Step length was constantly reduced and step time and length variability were constantly increased among children with CP as compared to TD controls, throughout assignments. Conclusion: It might be advisable for clinicians when assessing walking performance in children with CP, to assess it during both single and dual-task conditions.