Dual-task performances can be improved in patients with dementia: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Dual-task deficits are early dementia markers, linked to motor impairments and increased fall risk.
• Attention-related cognitive performance declines in dementia, impacting daily functioning.
• Understanding interventions for dual-task deficits is crucial for managing dementia progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a specific dual-task training program in patients with mild to moderate dementia.
• To assess the impact of dual-task training on motor and cognitive performance.
• To determine if targeted training can reduce dual-task cost (DTC) in dementia patients.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week randomized controlled trial involving 61 geriatric patients with dementia.
• Intervention group (IG) performed dual-task exercise; control group (CG) performed low-intensity exercise.
• Dual-task cost (DTC) for gait speed and cognitive tasks (S2, S3) was measured before and after intervention.

Main Results:

• Specific dual-task training significantly reduced DTC for gait speed under complex S3 conditions (21.7% in IG vs. 2.6% in CG).
• Improvements were observed in other gait variables and combined motor/cognitive DTC.
• No significant effects were noted for less challenging S2 conditions or cognitive-only S3 performance.

Conclusions:

• Specific dual-task exercise programs are effective in improving dual-task performance in dementia patients.
• Targeted training enhances the ability to perform motor and cognitive tasks simultaneously.
• This intervention shows promise for mitigating motor and cognitive deficits associated with dementia.