Keywords

Parkinson disease, motor learning, dual-task performance, bidirectional interference, postural control, speech articulatory variables

Abstract

Purpose. Persons with Parkinson disease (PD) demonstrate deficits in motor learning as well as bidirectional interference (the performance of one task concurrently interferes with the performance of another task) during dual-task performance. Few studies have examined the practice dosages necessary for behavioral change in rehabilitation relevant tasks. Therefore, to compare the effects of age and PD on motor learning during dual-task performance, this pilot study examined persons with PD as well as neurologically healthy participants during concurrent performance of postural and speaking tasks. Methods. Seven persons with PD and 7 healthy age-matched and 10 healthy young control subjects were tested in a motion capture facility. Task performances were performed concurrently and recorded during 3 time periods (acquisition (beginning and ending), 48-hour retention, and1-week retention). Postural control and speech articulatory acoustic variables were measured. Results. Healthy young participants consistently performed better than other groups on all measured postural and speech variables. Healthy young participants showed decreased variability at retention, while persons with PD and healthy age-matched controls were unable to consistently improve their performance as a result of practice. No changes were noted in the speech variables. Conclusion. The lack of consistent changes in motor performance in any of the tasks, except in the healthy young group, suggests a decreased efficiency of motor learning in the age-matched and PD groups and argues for increased practice dosages during balance training.

Original Publication Citation

Foreman, K.B., Sondrup, S., Dromey, C., Jarvis, E., Nissen, S. & Dibble, L.E. (2013). The effects of practice on the concurrent performance of a speech and postural task in persons with Parkinson disease and healthy controls. Parkinson’s Disease, vol. 2013, Article ID 987621, 8 pages.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2013

Publisher

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Language

English

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Communication Disorders

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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