Feasibility study of dual-task-managing training to improve gait performance of older adults.

Background: Dual task (DT) training is becoming prominent in fall prevention. However, DT training should include task-managing strategies like task switching or task prioritization to be beneficial to improve gait performance under DT conditions. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of a task managing training on gait stability.

Methods: A DT training (12 sessions; 60 min each; 12 weeks) was compared to a non-training control group within a RCT (38 independent living participants; 72.7 ± 4.7 years). Single Task (ST) and DT walking (visual verbal Stroop task) were measured on a treadmill (FDM-T, 3.5 km/h, 100 HZ). Gait parameters like step length, step width, gait line, maximum forces and gait variability were compared.

Results: The training group improved their gait performance under ST and DT conditions as revealed by significant group × time interaction effects.

Conclusions: The training successfully improved gait performance and therefore might be a promising approach to prevent falls. Additional fall prevention studies should focus on motor-cognitive performance and reinforce outcomes of task managing strategies.