Reliability of clinically feasible dual-task tests: Expanded timed get up and go test as a motor task on young healthy individuals

Dual-Task testing has been reported to have a higher sensitivity to deficits associated with concussion; however, the feasibility as a clinical or field test is questionable due to the requirements of laboratory-based equipment. With an overarching goal of exploration of clinically feasible Dual-Task testing options, the specific aims of this study were 1) to evaluate the reliability of Dual-Task testing methods using the Expanded Timed Get-Up-and-Go (ETGUG) paired with Backward Digit Recall (BDR), Serial Seven (SS), and Auditory Pure Switch Task (APST), and 2) to determine the effects of Dual-Task testing on motor and cognitive performance in healthy college-aged individuals. Fifty-four healthy young adults completed two separate testing sessions, which consisted of Single-Task tests in a randomized order followed by 3 pairs of Dual-Task tests in a randomized order. Test-retest reliability for ETGUG time to completion was excellent for all Single- and Dual-Task conditions (ICC 0.89-0.92); however, ETGUGBDR and ETGUGSS were associated with learning effects (p = 0.002 and 0.007, respectively). Test-retest reliability for Response Rate of the cognitive tasks was lower than those of motor task and all outcomes were associated with learning effects. The completion time of the ETGUGAPST pair indicated excellent reliability with no learning effect. Performance level declined in all tasks under Dual-Task conditions compared to Single-Task; however, motor tasks showed larger deficits indicating the prioritization of the cognitive task compared to the motor task.