Training of Balance Under Single- and Dual-Task Conditions in Older Adults With Balance Impairment

Abstract

Background and Purpose. Traditionally, rehabilitation programs emphasize training balance under single-task conditions to improve balance and reduce risk for falls. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 balance training approaches in older adults with impaired balance. Case Descriptions. Three patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions: (1) single-task balance training, (2) dual-task training under a fixed-priority instructional set, and (3) dual-task training under a variable-priority instructional set. Outcomes. The patients who received balance training under dual-task conditions showed dual-task training benefits; these training benefits were maintained for 3 months. The patient who received variable-priority training showed improvement on novel dual tasks. Discussion. Older adults may be able to improve their balance under dual-task conditions only following specific types of balance training. This case report gives insight on how this intervention might be combined with more traditional physical therapy intervention. [Silsupadol P, Siu KC, Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment. Phys Ther. 2006;86:269–281.]

The role of executive function and attention in gait

“…There is some evidence demonstrating that the dual tasking effects on postural control can be reduced with dual task training93, 139, 140 and one can extrapolate that similar effects should also be achievable for walking. Pilot data also support this idea 74, 141. For example, Toulotte et al trained 8 elderly non‐faller and 8 elderly fallers twice weekly for 3 months 74.…”

Effects of visual restriction and unstable base dual-task training on balance and concentration ability in persons with stroke

“…According to task coordination and learning theory, single-task training has fewer processing requirements compared with dual-task training and does not allow the patient to perform two tasks at the same time. However, dual-task training allows a patient to conduct more than two tasks simultaneously, enabling coordination of various tasks [7]. In a study conducted by Hiyamizu et al [8], the group that simultaneously performed recognition and movement tasks exhibited improved recognition task performance abilities, which showed that performing motor and recognition tasks at the same time affected one or both performances [9].…”

Evolución de la condición física y parámetros de referencia entre las poblaciones de mayores de la provincia de León-España y Minas Gerais-Brasil

“…Recientes estudios (Bouchard et al, 2011;Scott et al, 2011;Mayer et al, 2011), apuntan que la pérdida de la masa muscular relacionada a la edad, varía entre un 13 y 24% en adultos con hasta 60 años, y aumenta más de un 50 % en ancianos con edad por El conocimiento de las características funcionales del equilibrio en personas mayores, pueden promover el desarrollo de estrategias específicas de prevención de caídas, considerada el tipo más común de accidentes en personas mayores (Silsupadol et al, 2006), con vistas a la mantenimiento de la autonomía y la preservación de la independencia del anciano, durante el mayor tiempo posible.…”