Journal Article

Reducing Fall Risk with Combined Motor and Cognitive Training in Elderly Fallers

Chiusso, Massimo, Boye, Niels, Kovačeić, Milo, Melideo, Matteo, Federici, Alessia, Barrué, Cristian, Koumanakos, Georgios, Serra-Rexach, José, Lombardi, Maria, Griffini, Ivo, Silvestri, Manuel, Annicchiarico, Roberta, Ricci, Claudia, Cuevas Perez, Raquel, Ariño-Blasco, Sergio, Montero-Fernández, Nuria, Pino, Oscar, Barban, Francesco, Dionyssiotis, Yannis, Cortés, Ulises, Cortés, Atia, Rosso, Roberto, Caltagirone, Carlo, Giuli, Simone, Adriano, Fulvia, Sabatini, Angelo, Levene, Peter, Neglia, Sergio, Pantelopoulos, Stelios

2017

Overview

Background. Falling is a major clinical problem in elderly people, demanding effective solutions. At present, the only effective intervention is motor training of balance and strength. Executive function-based training (EFt) might be effective at preventing falls according to evidence showing a relationship between executive functions and gait abnormalities. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of a motor and a cognitive treatment developed within the EU co-funded project I-DONT-FALL. Methods. In a sample of 481 elderly people at risk of falls recruited in this multicenter randomised controlled trial, the effectiveness of a motor treatment (pure motor or mixed with EFt) of 24 one-hour sessions delivered through an i-Walker with a non-motor treatment (pure EFt or control condition) was evaluated. Similarly, a 24 one-hour session cognitive treatment (pure EFt or mixed with motor training), delivered through a touch-screen computer was compared with a non-cognitive treatment (pure motor or control condition). Results. Motor treatment, particularly when mixed with EFt, reduced significantly fear of falling (F(1,478) = 6.786, p = 0.009) although to a limited extent (ES −0.25) restricted to the period after intervention. Conclusions. This study suggests the effectiveness of motor treatment empowered by EFt in reducing fear of falling.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Cognitive ability / Cognitive therapy / cognitive training / elderly / Executive function / executive functions / fall risk / Falls / fear of falling / motor training / Older people / Posture