The effects of trait and state anxiety on gait in healthy young adults

Stable, personality-based (trait), and fluctuating, situational (state) anxiety have both been shown to consume attentional resources and reduce functional cognitive capacity, which may play a role in gait control. However, the role of attention in the relationship between trait and state anxiety has not yet been investigated formally. This study used a virtual reality-threat environment to evaluate whether changes in attention mediate the effects of state and trait anxiety on gait. Thirty adults aged 19-28 completed five walking trials in four conditions: (i) low threat-walking across a virtual plank (0.5 m wide) on flat ground; (ii) low threat + dual task (auditory digit monitoring); (iii) high threat-walking across a virtual plank elevated above a deep pit; and (iv) high threat + dual task. Trait anxiety levels were determined by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, while state anxiety was captured using self-assessment manikins. Higher trait anxiety predicted slower gait velocity and longer time in double support in the high-threat condition compared to low-threat condition (i vs iii), but not when dual tasking, compared to single-task walking, in the absence of threat (ii vs i). Additionally, higher trait anxiety predicted increased step length variability in the high compared to low-threat dual-task condition. Overall, trait anxiety predicts a slower, more cautious gait pattern during threatening conditions while dual tasking during the threat.