Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dual task performance on gait and pain in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and to investigate the relationship between dual task gait parameters, disease activity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods This cross-sectional study included 92 participants, consisting of 46 patients diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome according to the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic, clinical, and functional data were collected. Disease activity was assessed with the EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Gait performance was measured under single task, cognitive dual task, and motor dual task conditions using the Dual Task Walking Test. Results Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome had significantly longer walking times than controls under single task (15.0 ± 2.5 s vs. 12.3 ± 2.9 s, p < 0.001), cognitive dual task (32.4 ± 19.3 s vs. 15.3 ± 11.3 s, p < 0.001), and motor dual task conditions (12.8 ± 12.9 s vs. 2.8 ± 6.6 s, p < 0.001). Disease activity strongly correlated with cognitive (r = 0.932, p < 0.001) and motor dual task times (r = 0.913, p < 0.001). ROC analysis identified cognitive dual-task walking time as the best predictor for distinguishing patients with Sjögren’s syndrome from healthy controls (AUC = 0.779, sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 76%, cut-off = 21.9 s). Conclusion Dual task performance is significantly impaired in Sjögren’s syndrome and closely linked to disease activity, suggesting its value as a sensitive functional marker in clinical management.<Table Float="No" ID="Taba"> <tgroup cols="2"> <colspec align="left" colname="c1" colnum="1" /> <colspec align="left" colname="c2" colnum="2" /> <tbody> <row> <entry align="left" nameend="c2" namest="c1"> Keypoints • Dual task gait performance (cognitive and motor) is significantly impaired in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome compared to healthy controls. • Disease activity (ESSDAI) shows strong correlations with dual task performance, highlighting its impact on functional mobility. • Cognitive dual-task walking time demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing patients with Sjögren’s syndrome. • Lower educational level was associated with higher disease activity and worse gait performance, indicating the role of sociodemographic factors. • Dual task assessment may serve as a sensitive functional marker in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation strategies for Sjögren’s syndrome. </entry> </row> </tbody> </tgroup> </Table>

Effects of cognitive-motor dual-task walking on gait and pain in primary Sjögren’s syndrome: a comparative cross-sectional study

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年12月23日

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Meryem Kösehasanoğulları,
Sıdıka Büyükvural Şen,
Alper Yıldırım,
Nilüfer Aygün Bilecik,
Burhan Fatih Koçyiğit

摘要

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dual task performance on gait and pain in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome and to investigate the relationship between dual task gait parameters, disease activity, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 92 participants, consisting of 46 patients diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome according to the 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria and 46 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Demographic, clinical, and functional data were collected. Disease activity was assessed with the EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI), and pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Gait performance was measured under single task, cognitive dual task, and motor dual task conditions using the Dual Task Walking Test.

Results

Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome had significantly longer walking times than controls under single task (15.0 ± 2.5 s vs. 12.3 ± 2.9 s, p < 0.001), cognitive dual task (32.4 ± 19.3 s vs. 15.3 ± 11.3 s, p < 0.001), and motor dual task conditions (12.8 ± 12.9 s vs. 2.8 ± 6.6 s, p < 0.001). Disease activity strongly correlated with cognitive (r = 0.932, p < 0.001) and motor dual task times (r = 0.913, p < 0.001). ROC analysis identified cognitive dual-task walking time as the best predictor for distinguishing patients with Sjögren’s syndrome from healthy controls (AUC = 0.779, sensitivity = 70%, specificity = 76%, cut-off = 21.9 s).

Conclusion

Dual task performance is significantly impaired in Sjögren’s syndrome and closely linked to disease activity, suggesting its value as a sensitive functional marker in clinical management.

Keypoints

• Dual task gait performance (cognitive and motor) is significantly impaired in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome compared to healthy controls.

• Disease activity (ESSDAI) shows strong correlations with dual task performance, highlighting its impact on functional mobility.

• Cognitive dual-task walking time demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.

• Lower educational level was associated with higher disease activity and worse gait performance, indicating the role of sociodemographic factors.

• Dual task assessment may serve as a sensitive functional marker in clinical evaluation and rehabilitation strategies for Sjögren’s syndrome.