WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD Sept. 30, 2010 -- Older
adults with Parkinson’s disease as well as those without
neurological problems are at increased risk of injury-causing
falls when walking and talking at the same time, a study shows.
Researchers at Florida State University say Parkinson’s disease
alters gait, stride length, and step velocity. It also alters
the ability of older people to stabilize themselves on both feet
when asked to perform increasingly difficult verbal tasks while
walking. A surprising finding of the study was that even older
adults who do not have a neurological impairment also have
trouble walking and talking at the same time. The study is
published in the October issue of the International Journal of
Speech-Language Pathology. “These results suggest that it might
be prudent for health care professionals and caregivers to alter
expectations and monitor cognitive-linguistic demands placed on
these individuals while they are walking, particularly during
increased risk situation