Effect of Single and Dual Task Training on Gait, Balance and Functional Mobility
Condition: Aging
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Most of the daily life activities include dual task performance. Unlike conventional
      physiotherapy approaches, dual task training aims to improve both motor performance and
      cognitive performance at the same time. Geriatric rehabilitation approaches in Turkey; single
      task training (containing only motor performance) is applied to older adults for walking and
      balance disorders. Recent studies have shown gait parameters and balance abilities are
      influenced cognitive function and also dual task training is had to include in rehabilitation
      programs in order to improve walking and balance skills of the healthy elderly. In Turkey, a
      similar study is not found. The goal of this study is to evaluate in healthy elderly, effect
      of dual-task and single-task training on gait performance, and their effect on the balance
      abilities and functional mobility also to evaluate advantages one to another and to gain a
      different perspective to geriatric rehabilitation for the elderly in Turkey.
    

Detailed description: 
      Protocol:

      In this study, the demographic information (age, gender, body mass index, education level,
      occupation, etc.) of all participants will be recorded first. In the first evaluation, the
      participants' gait parameters will be determined by using the 10-meter walking test and the
      wearable sensors. Balance is evaluated by Functional Reach Test, One Leg Stand Test and
      Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment. Cognitive skills will be evaluated by using Mini Mental
      Test and Stroop Test. After the first evaluations of the participants, the participants will
      be given single or dual task training for 6 weeks, 2 times a week, not on consecutive days.
      If participants are absent for any training session, a compensation training session will be
      organized for them. After completing the single and / or dual task training, the final
      evaluations will be made. Randomization will be performed according to age, gender and body
      mass index of participants. After the randomization, participants' training group will be
      determined. Warm-up and cooling exercises will be carried out between 5-10 minutes before and
      after each training. Each training will consist of approximately 45-60 minutes including
      warm-up and cooling exercise periods. Each exercise starts with 5 repetitions and proceeds to
      10 repetitions. To reduce the effects of fatigue and to draw attention, a break time that
      consists of approximately 1-2 minutes will be given.

      Statistical Analysis:

      The effect size obtained in the reference study was strong (d = 1.16). As a result of the
      power analysis using the effect size value in the reference study for the study, it was
      calculated that 80% power could be obtained at 95% confidence level when at least 20 people
      (10 people per group) were included the study. The data will be analyzed with Statistical
      Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package program. Continuous variables will be given as
      mean ± standard deviation and categorical variables as number and percentage. In the
      independent group comparisons, if the parametrical test assumptions are obtained, independent
      samples t-test will be used if the parametric test assumptions are not obtained Mann Whitney
      U test will be used. In the dependent group comparisons, when the parametric test assumptions
      are obtained, paired samples t-test; if not obtained Wilcoxon tests will be used.
    

Intervention name(s): Exercise
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Single Task Training: Single task training includes exercises that require only one task or stimulation. For this study the task consists of motor tasks (walking or balance) Dual Task Training: Dual task training includes exercises simultaneous performance of two tasks that can be performed independently, measured separately and with different goals. In the study motor tasks will combine with cognitive tasks.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Aging; gait; balance; functional mobility; dual task training