Concern About Falling, Confidence in Balance, Quality of Life, and Depression Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults After a 24-week Dual-Task Training With Variable and Fixed Priority: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of a 24-week dual-task training with progression from variable to fixed priority on the concern about falling, confidence in balance, quality of life, and depression symptoms in community-dwelling older adults. Methods A total of 60 participants (60–80 y.o.) were randomly allocated into a dual-task training group with progression from variable to fixed priority (experimental group) or into a dual-task training group with variable priority (control group). Results No between-group difference was observed after the intervention. A significant time effect showed a reduction in concern about falling [mean difference (MD) = -2.91)] and depression symptoms (MD = −1.66), an increase in the physical function (MD = 7.86), overall mental health (MD = 5.82), perception of vitality, energy, and less fatigue (MD = 10.45), general perception of overall health (MD = 6.81), and their health compared to the last year (MD = 11.89). Conclusion The experimental protocol was not superior to the control one. However, both protocols improved these outcomes.

Effects of 12 Weeks of Physical-Cognitive Dual-Task Training on Executive Functions, Depression, Sleep Quality, and Quality of Life in Older Adult Women: A Randomized Pilot Study

“…One explanation is the improvement after training that is perceived by older adults (gait, muscle strength, flexibility, balance), followed by an increase in well-being during the performance of their daily tasks [71]. In a randomized controlled clinical trial (60-80 years), which compared the effects of 24 weeks of dual-task training with progression from variable to fixed priority, followed by a 24-week follow-up [34], with improved perception of QoL over time for both groups in all domains of the SF-36. However, only the physical function and general mental health domains indicated levels of significance in the comparison between the groups.…”

“…Subjective well-being and mental health play an important role [30], which includes the improvement of sleep quality [31], the reduction of depressive symptoms [32], and, therefore, the promotion of the perception of quality of life (QoL) [33]. In an RCT that evaluated the effects of 24-week DT training with progression from variable priority to fixed priority on the quality of life and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults [34], the authors found a significant effect of training time on the reduction of depression, in addition to an increase in the perception of the physical and mental domains of QoL.…”

Sonification for Personalised Gait Intervention

“…Functional challenges are compounded by mobility difficulties resulting in falls, which constitute the leading cause of injury-related deaths for those > 65 years [ 4 ]. Moreover, a harmful cycle due to a lack of confidence in walking due to a fear of falling can further exacerbate physical decline, highlighting a necessity for public health initiatives aimed at mitigating this escalating silent epidemic [ 5 ]. This pervasive issue underscores the critical need for practical interventions aimed at alleviating gait-related mobility issues [ 6 ].…”

Associations of Gait Speed, Cadence, Gait Stability Ratio, and Body Balance with Falls in Older Adults

“…Moreover, after a fall, because of the fear of falling again [ 8 ] and as a strategy to avoid further falls [ 9 ], older adults tend to reduce their daily movement rates, which increases the risk of developing sedentary habits [ 10 ]. For all these reasons, falls can significantly reduce the quality of life and well-being related to physical and mental health in the older adult population [ 8 , 11 ].…”