title: Reducing Fall Risk with Combined Motor and Cognitive Training in Elderly Fallers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falling is a major clinical problem in elderly people, demanding effective solutions. At present, the only effective intervention is motor training of balance and strength. Executive function-based training (EFt) might be effective at preventing falls according to evidence showing a relationship between executive functions and gait abnormalities. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of a motor and a cognitive treatment developed within the EU co-funded project I-DONT-FALL.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a sample of 481 elderly people at risk of falls recruited in this multicenter randomised controlled trial, the effectiveness of a motor treatment (pure motor or mixed with EFt) of 24 one-hour sessions delivered through ani-Walker with a non-motor treatment (pure EFt or control condition) was evaluated. Similarly, a 24 one-hour session cognitive treatment (pure EFt or mixed with motor training), delivered through a touch-screen computer was compared with a non-cognitive treatment (pure motor or control condition).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motor treatment, particularly when mixed with EFt, reduced significantly fear of falling (F(1,478) = 6.786,p= 0.009) although to a limited extent (ES -0.25) restricted to the period after intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests the effectiveness of motor treatment empowered by EFt in reducing fear of falling.
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keywords: cognitive training; elderly; executive functions; fall risk; fear of falling; motor training