Effects of Progressive Dual-task Training on Motor Performance, Cognitive Status and Fall Risk among Older Adults With and Without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate of Motor Behavior, Department of Motor Behavior. Motor Learning and Control Dep, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Motor Behavior. Department of Motor Behavior. Motor Learning and Control Dep, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor of Motor Behavior.Department of Motor Behavior. Motor Learning and Control Dep, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Background and Objective: Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) demonstrate inadequacy in compensatory techniques and lacking motor control while falling; hence it appears that cognitive and motor deficiencies are inter-related. The aim of this study was to investigate the progressive dual-task effects on motor performance, cognitive status and fall risk between older adults.
Subjects and Methods: This study is semi experimental with pre– and post-test design. The subjects were selected from community dwelling elderly adults with mean age of 75.65 y (range, 65–90). Both groups (20 with MCI and 20 Healthy) participated in 12 weeks of intervention with progressive dual-task training, which entailed sitting, standing and transforming practices.
Results: Examinations after 12 weeks showed that intervention caused improvements in cognitive status, postural control, and fall risk in both older adults with and without MCI. The MCI group experienced more positive changes in cognition, while the normal group had the most evident effects in fall risk and performance in Functional Reach (FR) test.
Conclusion: This finding supports the previous results which implied the positive effects of dual-task training on cognitive variables are associated to biological variations which arise during exercise training. We also suggest that the physical benefits of progressive dual-task training (e.g. flexibility) are overriding the cognitive changes. In future research, the pathophysiology and further clinical implications should be investigated.

Keywords

References

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Jundishapur Scientific Medical Journal
Volume 16, Issue 6 - Serial Number 111
January and February 2018
Pages 599-609

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History

  • Receive Date: 17 September 2017
  • Revise Date: 22 October 2017
  • Accept Date: 29 November 2017

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