Effects of a DVD-based seated dual-task stepping exercise on the fall risk factors among community-dwelling elderly adults.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this randomized control trial study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a digital video disc (DVD)-based seated dual-task (DT) stepping exercise to improve the DT walking capability in elderly people. In the DT exercise, participants were asked to perform a verbal fluency task while stepping as quickly as possible.


METHODS
Eight clusters (n=93) randomized into a DVD group (4 clusters, n=48) and a nonexercise control group (4 clusters, n=45) participated in this trial. In the DVD group, participants received 20 min of group training twice a week for 24 weeks. The exercise class used an exercise DVD that included a 15-min basic exercise and a 5-min DT exercise. No exercise program was prescribed for the control group. The measurements were based on the difference in physical function, including DT walking, between the DVD and control groups. In the DT walking test, participants walked individually at a comfortable speed while carrying a ball on a tray. The relative DT lag was calculated by using simple walking as the comparison condition. The Timed Up and Go test and the 5-chair stand test were also performed.


RESULTS
The median relative adherence to the study was 87.5% (25th-75th percentile, 83.3%-95.8%) in the DVD group. The outcome measurements, including the DT walking time and DT time lag (p<0.05), among participants in the DVD group were significantly improved. However, other outcome measurements were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The current study reports the effectiveness of a DVD-based exercise for the improvement of the DT walking capability. A larger study is needed to confirm the present results. Study of a Web-based exercise regime would be valuable to identify the most effective exercise for prevention of falls and fall-related fractures.
Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. yamada@hs.med.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Minoru
M
Yamada
Tomoki
T
Aoyama
Yuki
Y
Hikita
Masumi
M
Takamura
Yoko
Y
Tanaka
Yu
Y
Kajiwara
Koutatsu
K
Nagai
Kazuki
K
Uemura
Shuhei
S
Mori
Buichi
B
Tanaka
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014741:Video Recording / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*