Journal Article

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

Marjorie H Woollacott, Ka-Chun Siu, Anne Shumway-Cook, Patima Silsupadol

2006

Overview

Background and Purpose. 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. Case Descriptions. 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. Outcomes. 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. Discussion. 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. [Silsupadol P, Siu KC, Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment. Phys Ther. 2006;86:269–281.]

• Publisher: American Physical Therapy Association,Oxford University Press
• Subject: 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