The effect of dual-task training on cognition of people with different clinical conditions: An overview of systematic reviews

The ability of human beings to perform more than one task at a time has long been focus of study in the literature on human attention and memory. Older adults are more penalized when they must divide their attention between two input resources i.e input and holding or holding and responding. Falls have potentially devastating physical, social and psychological consequences. Falling is one of the most serious problems associated with ageing. Sensory system deteriorates with age, increased attention is allocated to “HIGHTEN” the signal coming from this system in order to gain necessary information for postural control. Older adults show marked reduction in the ability to perform the postural and cognitive task simultaneously. A study was conducted by physiotherapy and psychology students in a small town of Haryana on institutionalized older adults in which Dual task training under various sets of instruction that is Fixed priority and Variable priority instruction sets effects the balance who are living in residential care facilities. Tinneti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and Mini mental status examination were used as tools to assess balance and cognitive abilities. Various studies related to the role of cognitive factors in balance impairments were reviewed. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software packages and paired sample t –test within the group and independent sample t – test between the groups with p – value at a significance level of p < 0.05 was used. The result of the study supported the hypothesis that there is significant improvement in balance of institutionalized elderly people who received dual task training with variable priority instruction set. (p < 0.001). The use of validated measurement tool like Tinnetti performance oriented mobility assessment on balance allowed clearer interpretation of the results. There is improvement in TPOMA Scores after 4 weeks training program in both groups. This shows that cognitive factors do play an important role in maintaining balance and coordination. Any impairment related to sensory system or cognition leads to balance impairments and increased risk for falls.

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Dual-Task Obstacle Crossing Training Could Immediately Improve Ability to Control a Complex Motor Task and Cognitive Activity in Chronic Ambulatory Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury

Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation ◽

10.1310/sci18-00038 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 260-270

Author(s):

Sugalya Amatachaya ◽

Kitiyawadee Srisim ◽

Preeda Arrayawichanon ◽

Thiwabhorn Thaweewannakij ◽

Pipatana Amatachaya

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Training Programs ◽

Cognitive Activity ◽

Motor Task ◽

Test Task ◽

Obstacle Crossing ◽

Cord Injury ◽

Complex Motor ◽

Task Training ◽

Dual Task Training

Background: The effectiveness of dual-task training has been reported in individuals with cognitive impairments. To date, there is no clear evidence on the incorporation of dual-task training in ambulatory individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who have intact cognitive functions but have various degrees of sensorimotor dysfunction. Objectives: To compare the immediate effects of dual-task obstacle crossing (DTOC) and single-task obstacle crossing (STOC) training on functional and cognitive abilities in chronic ambulatory participants with SCI. Methods: This is a randomized 2 × 2 crossover design with blinded assessors. Twenty-two participants were randomly trained using a 30-minute DTOC and STOC training program with a 2-day washout period. Outcomes, including 10-Meter Walk Tests (single- and dual-task tests), percent of Stroop Color and Word Test task errors, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and five times sit-to-stand test, were measured immediately before and after each training program. Results: Participants showed significant improvement in all outcomes following both training programs ( p < .05), except percent of Stroop Color and Word Test task errors after STOC training. Obvious differences between the training programs were found for the percent of Stroop task errors and TUG ( ps = .014 and .06). Conclusion: Obstacle crossing is a demanding task, thus the obvious improvement was found immediately after both training programs in participants with long post-injury time (approximately 5 years). However, the findings primarily suggest the superior effects of DTOC over STOC on a complex motor task and cognitive activity. A further randomized control trial incorporating a complex dual-task test is needed to strengthen evidence for the benefit of DTOC for these individuals.

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