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

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. Three patients were randomly assigned to 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical therapy 2006-02, Vol.86 (2), p.269-281
Main Authors: Silsupadol, Patima, Siu, Ka-Chun, Shumway-Cook, Anne, Woollacott, Marjorie H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Biomechanical Phenomena
Causality
Elderly
Exercise Therapy - methods
Exercise Therapy - standards
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Geriatric Assessment
Human mechanics
Humans
Male
Medical examination
Mental Status Schedule
Methods
Neuropsychological Tests
Older people
Patient Education as Topic
Physical Examination - methods
Physical therapy
Physical therapy for the aged
Physiological aspects
Postural Balance
Psychological aspects
Psychomotor Performance
Sensation Disorders - diagnosis
Sensation Disorders - physiopathology
Sensation Disorders - psychology
Sensation Disorders - rehabilitation
Severity of Illness Index
Therapeutics, Physiological
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Walking
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Summary: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. 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. 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. 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.
ISSN:0031-9023
1538-6724
DOI:10.1093/ptj/86.2.269