Dual-tasks is an indicator of cognitive deficit specificity in patients after traumatic brain injury

AIM: To investigate the brain activity impairment in patients after traumatic brain injury (TBI) during dual-tasks in comparison with the normal ranges. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Electroencephalographic (EEG), stabilographic and clinical study was performed in 9 patients (mean age 25±1.2 years) for up to 3 months after a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) in comparison with 18 healthy subjects (mean age 26.6±0.07 years). All participants of the study performed two motor tasks and two cognitive tasks that were carried out in isolation, and simultaneously (dual-tasks). RESULTS: Clinical examination revealed cognitive deficit in TBI patients with safety of postural control. The EEG data demonstrated a pronounced decrease in the coherence for slow rhythms in the left hemisphere and frontal areas during cognitive tasks performance. In healthy subjects, an increase in EEG coherence for slow spectral bands was observed in these brain areas. CONCLUSION: Dual-tasks are an informative method for estimation of predominant cognitive deficit after mild TBI and the use of this approach for rehabilitation contributes to positive clinical dynamics.