Multitasking in older adults with type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional analysis.
Jason L RuckerJoan M McDowdJonathan D MahnkenJeffrey M BurnsCarla H SabusAmanda J Britton-CarpenterNora B UtechPatricia M KludingPublished in: PloS one (2017)
Older adults with DM appear to perform poorly on an ambulatory measure of multitasking. However, we analyzed a relatively small, homogenous sample of older adults with and without type 2 DM and factors such as peripheral neuropathy and the use of multiple comparisons complicate interpretation of the data. Future research should explore the interactions between multitasking and safety, fall risk, and function in this vulnerable population. Clinicians should recognize that an array of factors may contribute to gait and physical dysfunction in older adults with type 2 diabetes, and be prepared to assess and intervene appropriately.