Effect of Single and Dual Task Training on Gait, Balance and Functional Mobility

Overview

Most of the daily life activities include dual task performance. Unlike conventional physiotherapy approaches, dual task training aims to improve both motor performance and cognitive performance at the same time. Geriatric rehabilitation approaches in Turkey; single task training (containing only motor performance) is applied to older adults for walking and balance disorders. Recent studies have shown gait parameters and balance abilities are influenced cognitive function and also dual task training is had to include in rehabilitation programs in order to improve walking and balance skills of the healthy elderly. In Turkey, a similar study is not found. The goal of this study is to evaluate in healthy elderly, effect of dual-task and single-task training on gait performance, and their effect on the balance abilities and functional mobility also to evaluate advantages one to another and to gain a different perspective to geriatric rehabilitation for the elderly in Turkey.

Protocol: In this study, the demographic information (age, gender, body mass index, education level, occupation, etc.) of all participants will be recorded first. In the first evaluation, the participants' gait parameters will be determined by using the 10-meter walking test and the wearable sensors. Balance is evaluated by Functional Reach Test, One Leg Stand Test and Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment. Cognitive skills will be evaluated by using Mini Mental Test and Stroop Test. After the first evaluations of the participants, the participants will be given single or dual task training for 6 weeks, 2 times a week, not on consecutive days. If participants are absent for any training session, a compensation training session will be organized for them. After completing the single and / or dual task training, the final evaluations will be made. Randomization will be performed according to age, gender and body mass index of participants. After the randomization, participants' training group will be determined. Warm-up and cooling exercises will be carried out between 5-10 minutes before and after each training. Each training will consist of approximately 45-60 minutes including warm-up and cooling exercise periods. Each exercise starts with 5 repetitions and proceeds to 10 repetitions. To reduce the effects of fatigue and to draw attention, a break time that consists of approximately 1-2 minutes will be given. Statistical Analysis: The effect size obtained in the reference study was strong (d = 1.16). As a result of the power analysis using the effect size value in the reference study for the study, it was calculated that 80% power could be obtained at 95% confidence level when at least 20 people (10 people per group) were included the study. The data will be analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package program. Continuous variables will be given as mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as number and percentage. In the independent group comparisons, if the parametrical test assumptions are obtained, independent samples t-test will be used if the parametric test assumptions are not obtained Mann Whitney U test will be used. In the dependent group comparisons, when the parametric test assumptions are obtained, paired samples t-test; if not obtained Wilcoxon tests will be used.