Abstract
Conducting multiple tasks at the same time is a staple habit in our daily life. But during multitasking, there are notable reductions in performance and movement mechanics. Studying the effects of ‘dual task’ protocols will provide an understanding about its impact on movement and cognitive processing. During dual tasking scenarios, cognitive processing is strained, resulting in additional cognitive resource allocation to maintain performance. Biofeedback methods have been used to improve movement mechanics in upper and lower body (particularly during walking) and have yielded promising results. However, questions arise about whether a cognitively challenging setting such as a ‘Dual Task’ protocol, with a biofeedback method, impairs tasks further because the brain must process additional external information while already under stress. The aim of this pilot study was to explore the role of rhythmic cues as a biofeedback method in changing lower limb movement patterns in a cognitively challenging arrow matching dual task protocol. Five young adults participated in a foot tapping + flanker task dual task experiment, where rhythmic metronome beats were provided as biofeedback to match foot taps during a dual task protocol (the rhythm of a metronome was set from the natural foot tapping frequency of the participants which was determined before the experiments commenced). Electroencephalography, kinematic data of the ankle joints, and foot tap forces were collected and analysed. Findings suggested rhythmic biofeedback from the metronome negatively impacted on foot tapping variability during dual task protocol. Additional observations indicated that biofeedback diverted attention towards having a more stable foot tapping performance, but at the cost of performance in the arrow matching task (decreased accuracy). Further studies will assist in identifying the usefulness of biofeedback methods for improving multitasking capabilities, including
performing both tasks efficiently.