The effect of dual task and executive training on pattern of gait in older adults with balance impairment: A Randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of two different approaches of dual-task training and executive training on pattern of gait in older adults with balance impairment.


METHODS
Thirty older adults with the mean age of 73.8 participated in the study. They scored 52 or less on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and walked with a self-selected gait speed of 1.1m/s or less. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: experimental group one (cognitive dual-task (CDT) training) that focused on gait performance under dual task condition; experimental group two (executive function (EF) training) who underwent 3 types of training on working memory, inhibition, speed of processing; and a control group. Subjects walked 10 m, under single-task and dual-task (DT) conditions where kinematics parameters were recorded. Participants in experimental groups received 45-min training sessions, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The data obtained was analyzed using repeated measure at a criterion p-value of 0.05.


RESULTS
The results showed that after training, changes of walking speed, length of stride and step, times of stride, step, single support, and double support, were significant at p<0.05. Asymmetry index in walking with dual task condition increased significantly, but after training asymmetry in DT condition decreased significantly in EF group.


CONCLUSIONS
Both training groups showed improvements in gait parameters in the post test compared with that in the control group; however, in EF training group, symmetry of limbs and inter-coordination, improved more than that in CDT group.
Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad-International Campus, Mashhad, Iran.
Elaheh
E
Azadian
Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: hamidtaheri@um.ac.ir.
Hamid Reza Taheri
HR
Torbati
Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: askakhki@ferdowsi.um.ac.ir.
Ali Reza Saberi
AR
Kakhki
Department of Sport Biomechanics, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
Nader
N
Farahpour
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
Asymmetry; Dual task training; Executive function training; Gait kinematic