EFFECTS OF VARIABLE-PRIORITY DUAL-TASK TRAINING ON BALANCE, GAIT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY WOMEN IN CHINA

Intervention Description (VPDT): Participants will receive variable-priority cognitive-motor dual-task training (VPDT) for 12 weeks. Training will be delivered in supervised sessions 3 times/week, 60 minutes/session, in a small group format. Each session combines functional balance and gait tasks (e.g., sit-to-stand, obstacle negotiation, line walking, turning, transfers) with concurrent cognitive tasks (e.g., serial subtraction/1-back/semantic fluency). Variable-priority instructions are used: participants are coached to flexibly shift attention between the motor and cognitive task across repetitions/blocks, with individualized cueing. Attendance is recorded each session; adverse events are monitored and managed according to a predefined safety protocol.

Intervention Description (FPDT): Participants will receive fixed-priority cognitive-motor dual-task training (FPDT) for 12 weeks, supervised 3 times/week, 60 minutes/session. The motor tasks and cognitive tasks are matched to the VPDT group in type and total practice time. Fixed-priority instructions are used: participants are instructed to maintain equal and consistent attention to both tasks simultaneously throughout training, without shifting priorities across blocks. Progression and safety monitoring follow the same principles as VPDT. Attendance and adverse events are documented.

The PT group first performed a 10-minute warm-up exercise. Then, in the order of the exercise tasks, they performed sit-ups, stand-ups, seated rowing, object transfer, obstacle avoidance, and connected walking training. Finally, a 10-minute relaxation activity was performed. Session duration, weekly frequency, and supervision were matched across the VPDT and FPDT groups, but PT consisted only of single-task exercises (no cognitive tasks or priority instructions).