Dual-Task Effect in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Correlation with Spinal Deformity
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) experience various difficulties with daily activities. Many such activities involve
multitasking that consists of simultaneous motor and/or cognitive components. The purpose of this study was to compare the walking
performance and dual-task effect (DTE), which requires the ability to perform two tasks concurrently, of AIS patients with those of healthy
controls and to investigate their correlation with spinal deformity.
MATERIALS and METHODS: Thirty-two AIS patients and 34 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. The Expanded Timed Up and Go (ETUG) test and the Tandem Gait (TG) were used to assess functional mobility. The motor-motor and cognitive-motor dual-task performances were recorded to determine the corresponding DTEs. Radiological assessments of the scoliosis group were extracted from the radiographs, while the angle of trunk rotation was measured using a scoliometer. These spinal parameters were analyzed to identify any correlations with DTEs.
RESULTS: We found that patients with AIS were slower with single motor tasks, by TG, but not by ETUG, compared to healthy controls (p=0.001, p=0.501, respectively). They exhibited an increase in both cognitive-motor and motor-motor DTEs (p<0.001, p=0.010, respectively). Among the spinal parameters examined, lumbar lordosis measurements were moderately correlated with motor-motor DTE (r=-0.48, p=0.005), while angle of trunk rotation and apical vertebral translation were weakly correlated with cognitive-motor DTE (r=-0.35, p=0.05, r=-0.39, p=0.028, respectively).
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest impaired dual tasking among AIS patients compared to healthy peers, and both biomechanical changes and increased cortical contribution may influence functional mobility. Thus, we believe that including dual-task gait and sensorimotor integration training in management protocols may be beneficial for achieving better outcomes.
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References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Clinical Sciences (Other)
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Aynur Başaran
*
0000-0003-2079-4867
Türkiye
Ahmet Yesildag
0000-0003-2425-6951
Türkiye
İbrahim Meral
0000-0002-9216-4285
Türkiye
Süleyman Gül
0000-0002-8621-7707
Türkiye
Publication Date
August 31, 2026
Submission Date
July 14, 2026
Acceptance Date
July 31, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 2