Dual-task cost in people with multiple sclerosis: A case–control study:

IntroductionLimitations in fine motor functioning and cognitive performance are frequently reported in multiple sclerosis. Studies about dual-task costs in multiple sclerosis generally explore walking and postural performance. This study aims at exploring dual-task costs when simultaneously performing fine motor and cognitive tasks.MethodEighty people with multiple sclerosis and 80 matched controls performed the nine-hole peg test and the months backward test under single and dual-task conditions. Differences in performance over time were analysed with the paired t-test; differences in dual-task costs between groups were analysed with independent t-tests.ResultsPeople with multiple sclerosis and controls showed a significant decrease in fine motor and cognitive performance in dual-task conditions compared to single-task conditions (P < 0.01). People with multiple sclerosis with limited hand capacity showed larger dual-task costs for cognitive performance compared to other hand capacity groups (P < 0.05). ...