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.