title: Feasibility study of dual-task-managing training to improve gait performance of older adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dual task (DT) training is becoming prominent in fall prevention. However, DT training should include task-managing strategies like task switching or task prioritization to be beneficial to improve gait performance under DT conditions. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a task managing training on gait stability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A DT training (12 sessions; 60 min each; 12 weeks) was compared to a non-training control group within a RCT (38 independent living participants; 72.7 ± 4.7 years). Single Task (ST) and DT walking (visual verbal Stroop task) were measured on a treadmill (FDM-T, 3.5 km/h, 100 HZ). Gait parameters like step length, step width, gait line, maximum forces and gait variability were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training group improved their gait performance under ST and DT conditions as revealed by significant group × time interaction effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The training successfully improved gait performance and therefore might be a promising approach to prevent falls. Additional fall prevention studies should focus on motor-cognitive performance and reinforce outcomes of task managing strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Movement Science, University Hamburg, Mollerstr.2, 20148, Hamburg, Germany, bettina.wollesen@uni-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wollesen
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Voelcker-Rehage
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Willer
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zech
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattes
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016138:Walking