RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Children with specific learning disorder (SLD) have some cognitive and postural stability problems compared to typically developing (TD) children. Their single and dual-task gait performance may be affected depending on these problems. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there any differences between the gait parameters of children with SLD and TD under single- and dual-task conditions? METHODS: A comparative-descriptive study was conducted among 35 children with SLD and 33 TD children. All participants were assessed for gait parameters using a custom wireless inertial sensor under single and dual-task conditions. In the dual-task gait tests, there were the following tasks: to carry a glass of water and to tell apart the color of the paper. RESULTS: The children with SLD exhibited gait deterioration in both single and dual-task gait (p < 0.05). Dual-task cost cognitive values were higher in children with SLD (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the worse gait performance of children with SLD under single- and dual-task conditions compared with TD children. However, interventions for their gait impairments are limited. At this point, SLD specialists can focus on multitasking to improve their walking skills.
