Dual task training has been shown to reduce the risk of falls more than single task training. However, there have been no studies which compared the effects of single task training, dual task training and asynchronous cognitive, balance exercise training during same day on the risk of falls among healthy older individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences among the effects of single task training, dual task training and exercise-cognitive activity combined training on balance and gait performances and fall risk in elderly at risk of fall.
The term "dual task" refers to the ability of performing 2 tasks simultaneously, for example, a cognitive and a motor task. Previous studies demonstrated that dual task training is more effective than single task training in reducing falls among elderly. These studies demonstrated that the improvements in balance and gait speed resulted in a decrease of fall frequency. Although dual task training has been shown to reduce the risk of falls more than single task training, to date, there have been no studies which compared the effects of single task training, dual task training and asynchronous cognitive, balance exercise training during same day on the risk of falls among healthy older individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences among the effects of single task training, dual task training and exercise-cognitive activity combined training on balance and gait performances and fall risk in elderly at risk of fall.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
45
The participants in single task training received 30 minutes single task balance and gait exercises, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability (e.g., standing legs open and closed, standing with eyes closed, tandem standing, standing on foam surface and one leg standing, standing while throwing and catching a ball ), forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction (backward, side to side), transfer activities (from 1 chair to another) and sit to stand 5 times
The participants practiced 30 minutes balance and gait exercises while simultaneously performing cognitive tasks. The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability, forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction, transfer activities and sit to stand 5 times. The participants practiced cognitive tasks while simultaneously performing balance and gait exercises. The cognitive tasks included visual attention, auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, simple mental math and maze activities. At each week, participants performed different type of activities which were designed to foster the executive functions: (1) Visual and auditory attention, (2) Planning and verbal fluency, (3) Simple math problems (4) Visual and auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, math problems
Medipol Mega University Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Gait speed under single task condition
The participants walked 10 meter at their comfortable speed and the time to complete the task was recorded
Time frame: 4 weeks
Gait speed under dual task condition
The participants walked 10 meter while producing words which started with letter "K"
Time frame: 4 weeks
Timed Up and Go test
Timed Up and Go Test is a simple test used to measure mobility. The time required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 m to the line on the floor at a normal pace, walk back to the chair and sit down is measured (Thrane et al 2007)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Berg Balance Scale
The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) consists of 14 simple balance related tasks that measure the static, dynamic, and functional balance skills (Sahin et al 2008)
Time frame: 4 weeks
Falls Efficacy Scale
Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale (FES), which was used to assess fall-related self-efficacy, is a 10-questions scale (Scheffer et al 2008).
Time frame: 4 weeks
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The participants first practiced 30 min of cognitive activities then performed 30 min of balance and gait exercises after 5 min of resting.The program included static and dynamic balance exercises. Static balance exercises involved body stability, forward and backward weight shifting and keeping standing position while being disturbed by external perturbation. Dynamic balance exercises included tandem walking, walking to different direction, transfer activities and sit to stand 5 times. The cognitive tasks included visual attention, auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, simple mental math and maze activities. At each week, participants performed different type of activities which were designed to foster the executive functions: (1) Visual and auditory attention, (2) Planning and verbal fluency, (3) Simple math problems (4) Visual and auditory attention, planning, verbal fluency, math problems.