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Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment
Patima Silsupadol1, Ka-Chun Siu, Anne Shumway-Cook
1Department of Human Physiology, 1240 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1240, USA. psilsupa@uoregon.edu
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.
