The effect of a cognitive-motor intervention on voluntary step execution under single and dual task conditions in older adults: a randomized controlled pilot study

This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to explore whether a cognitive-motor exercise program that combines traditional physical exercise with dance video gaming can improve the voluntary stepping responses of older adults under attention demanding dual task conditions. Elderly subjects receive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Clinical interventions in aging 2012-01, Vol.7, p.175-184
Main Authors: Pichierri, Giuseppe, Coppe, Amos, Lorenzetti, Silvio, Murer, Kurt, de Bruin, Eling D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Analysis
Attention - physiology
Cognition
dance
Dancing - physiology
Exercise
Exercise for the aged
Exercise Therapy - methods
fall prevention
Falls
Feasibility Studies
Female
Gait - physiology
Humans
Injury prevention
Male
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Memory, Episodic
Older people
Original Research
Pilot Projects
Postural Balance - physiology
Resistance Training - methods
Switzerland
Task Performance and Analysis
video game
Video Games
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Summary:This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to explore whether a cognitive-motor exercise program that combines traditional physical exercise with dance video gaming can improve the voluntary stepping responses of older adults under attention demanding dual task conditions. Elderly subjects received twice weekly cognitive-motor exercise that included progressive strength and balance training supplemented by dance video gaming for 12 weeks (intervention group). The control group received no specific intervention. Voluntary step execution under single and dual task conditions was recorded at baseline and post intervention (Week 12). After intervention between-group comparison revealed significant differences for initiation time of forward steps under dual task conditions (U = 9, P = 0.034, r = 0.55) and backward steps under dual task conditions (U = 10, P = 0.045, r = 0.52) in favor of the intervention group, showing altered stepping levels in the intervention group compared to the control group. A cognitive-motor intervention based on strength and balance exercises with additional dance video gaming is able to improve voluntary step execution under both single and dual task conditions in older adults.
ISSN:1178-1998
1176-9092
1178-1998
DOI:10.2147/cia.s32558