Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment.
OBJECTIVE
Traditionally, rehabilitation programs emphasize training balance under single-task conditions to improve balance and reduce risk for falls. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 balance training approaches in older adults with impaired balance.


METHODS
Three patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions: (1) single-task balance training, (2) dual-task training under a fixed-priority instructional set, and (3) dual-task training under a variable-priority instructional set.


RESULTS
The patients who received balance training under dual-task conditions showed dual-task training benefits; these training benefits were maintained for 3 months. The patient who received variable-priority training showed improvement on novel dual tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults may be able to improve their balance under dual-task conditions only following specific types of balance training. This case report gives insight on how this intervention might be combined with more traditional physical therapy intervention.
Silsupadol
Patima
P
Department of Human Physiology, 1240 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1240, USA. psilsupa@uoregon.edu
Siu
Ka-Chun
KC
Shumway-Cook
Anne
A
Woollacott
Marjorie H
MH
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015984:Causality; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D004856:Postural Balance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking