Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:27
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Effectiveness of Self-Administered Dual-Task Training in Improving Balance and Reducing Falls Among Older Adults: A
Mohammad Jobair Khan1, Kenneth N K Fong1, Thomson Wai-Lung Wong1
1Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Self-administered dual-task (sDT) training significantly reduced falls in older adults compared to single-task training. This 12-week program improved balance, cognition, and general health safely.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Dual-task training enhances balance and reduces falls in older adults.
- Self-administration of dual-task training remains underexplored.
- This study compares self-administered dual-task (sDT) training with single-task training for fall prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of self-administered dual-task (sDT) training for improving balance and reducing falls in older adults.
- To compare the efficacy of sDT training against self-administered single-task training.
- To assess secondary outcomes including dynamic balance, dual-tasking ability, fear of falls, general health, global cognition, and quality of life.
Main Methods:
- 216 community-dwelling adults aged 65+ with recent falls were randomized into sDT (n=99) or single-task (n=117) groups.
- Both groups underwent 36 training sessions over 12 weeks, including 6 supervised workshops.
- Primary outcome was fall frequency; secondary outcomes assessed balance, cognition, and quality of life at baseline, 12 weeks, and 6 months.
Main Results:
- The sDT group demonstrated a significantly lower fall rate (IRR: 0.47; P < .001) compared to the single-task group.
- sDT intervention led to immediate improvements in general health and global cognition.
- Within the sDT group, significant improvements were observed in dynamic balance, Time Up and Go, and global cognition, both immediately and long-term.
Conclusions:
- Twelve weeks of self-administered dual-task (sDT) training is safe and effective for reducing falls in at-risk older adults.
- sDT training offers a promising approach for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults.
- Future research should incorporate a usual care control group to further validate sDT interventions.