Evaluation of dual task performance in individuals with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Aim: The aim of our study is to evaluate the dual task performance of individuals with Type II diabetes mellitus compared to healthy individuals. Material and Methods: Eighty-one individuals with Type II diabetes mellitus with an average age of 59.383 ± 6.77 years and sixty healthy individuals with an average age of 58.417 ± 6.47 years were included in our study. To evaluate the dual task performance of the participants, motor-motor and motor-cognitive tests integrated into the 10-meter walk test and the timed up and go test were applied. While the fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose and HbA1c values of the individuals were collected from the hospital system, the diabetic age was evaluated with the verbal response received from the individuals. Dual task performance during daily living activities was evaluated with the dual task questionnaire, cognitive attention was evaluated with the Stroop test TBAG form, and neuropathy was evaluated with the Semmes Weinstein monofilament test and Michigan neuropathy questionnaire. Results: As a result of the evaluation, it was seen that individuals with Type II diabetes mellitus exhibited worse dual task performance in motor-motor and motor-cognitive tests in both the TUG test and the 10 MWT tests compared to healthy individuals (p <0.05). When fasting blood glucose values and diabetes age were compared with dual task performance values, a relationship was seen only in some parameters (p<0.05), while no relationship was seen in the other parameters (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of Stroop test TBAG form (p>0.05). Conclusion: As a result of our study, we found that the dual task performance of individuals with Type II diabetes mellitus was worse than that of healthy individuals. Adding dual-task exercises to the rehabilitation processes of individuals with type II diabetes mellitus may reduce the negative situations experienced by these individuals in daily living activities and slow down cognitive decline.