Effect of the cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cue on balance of surviviors with chronic stroke: a pilot study
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Updated: Apr 21, 2026
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Published on: December 16, 2022
Wonjae Choi1, GyuChang Lee2, Seungwon Lee3
1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health and Welfare, Sahmyook University, Seoul, South Korea Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Seoul, South Korea.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of a cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cues on the balance of patients with chronic stroke.
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Inpatient rehabilitation center.
Subjects:
Thirty-seven individuals with chronic stroke.
Interventions:
The participants were randomly allocated to the dual-task group (n=19) and the single-task group (n=18). The dual-task group performed a cognitive-motor dual-task in which they carried a circular ring from side to side according to a random auditory cue during treadmill walking. The single-task group walked on a treadmill only. All subjects completed 15 min per session, three times per week, for four weeks with conventional rehabilitation five times per week over the four weeks.
Main Measures:
Before and after intervention, both static and dynamic balance were measured with a force platform and using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
Results:
The dual-task group showed significant improvement in all variables compared to the single-task group, except for anteroposterior (AP) sway velocity with eyes open and TUG at follow-up: mediolateral (ML) sway velocity with eye open (dual-task group vs. single-task group: 2.11 mm/s vs. 0.38 mm/s), ML sway velocity with eye close (2.91 mm/s vs. 1.35 mm/s), AP sway velocity with eye close (4.84 mm/s vs. 3.12 mm/s). After intervention, all variables showed significant improvement in the dual-task group compared to baseline.
Conclusion:
The study results suggest that the performance of a cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cues may influence balance improvements in chronic stroke patients.
