Dual-Task Obstacle Crossing Training Could Immediately Improve Ability to Control a Complex Motor Task and Cognitive Activity in Chronic Ambulatory Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Background: The effectiveness of dual-task training has been reported in individuals with cognitive impairments. To date, there is no clear evidence on the incorporation of dual-task training in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have intact cognitive functions but have various degrees of sensorimotor dysfunction. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects of dual-task obstacle crossing (DTOC) and single-task obstacle crossing (STOC) training on functional and cognitive abilities in chronic ambulatory participants with SCI. Methods: This is a randomized 2 x 2 crossover design with blinded assessors. Twenty-two participants were randomly trained using a 30-minute DTOC and STOC training program with a 2-day washout period. Outcomes, including 10-Meter Walk Tests (single- and dual-task tests), percent of Stroop Color and Word Test task errors, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and five times sit-to-stand test, were measured immediately before and after each training program. Results: Participants showed significant improvement in all outcomes following both training programs (p < .05), except percent of Stroop Color and Word Test task errors after STOC training. Obvious differences between the training programs were found for the percent of Stroop task errors and TUG (ps = .014 and .06). Conclusion: Obstacle crossing is a demanding task, thus the obvious improvement was found immediately after both training programs in participants with long post-injury time (approximately 5 years). However, the findings primarily suggest the superior effects of DTOC over STOC on a complex motor task and cognitive activity. A further randomized control trial incorporating a complex dual-task test is needed to strengthen evidence for the benefit of DTOC for these individuals.