Dual-task Training in Chronic Stroke

Background Functional community ambulation not only requires a critical level of postural control and walking skills, but also the ability to engage in cognitive tasks while walking (i.e., dual-task walking) and adapt to the constantly-changing environmental contexts. There is evidence showed that dual-task balance and gait performance is significantly impaired after stroke. Increasing evidence also suggests that dual-task balance and gait performance is useful for predicting falls among individuals with stroke. Considering the high clinical relevance of dual-task balance and gait performance, it is essential that stroke rehabilitation adequately addresses dual-task deficits. Developing specific dual-task balance and gait training to enhance dual-task performance is thus necessary to promote community ambulation and reintegration.

Study Aim The aim of this Introduction Many individuals after stroke continue to cope with residual physical impairments after discharge from hospital. One of the major problems encountered by people after stroke is community reintegration. Functional community ambulation not only requires a critical level of postural control and walking skills, but also the ability to engage in cognitive tasks while walking (i.e., dual-task walking) and adapt to the constantly-changing environmental contexts. There has been an increasing awareness of the importance of dual-task gait performance in community-dwelling individuals with stroke in the past few years.

There is evidence showed that dual-task balance and gait performance is significantly impaired after stroke. Increasing evidence also suggests that dual-task balance and gait performance is useful for predicting falls among individuals with stroke. Considering the high clinical relevance of dual-task balance and gait performance, it is essential that stroke rehabilitation adequately addresses dual-task deficits. Developing specific dual-task balance and gait training to enhance dual-task performance is thus necessary to promote community ambulation and reintegration.

Study Aim This will be a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT).The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of a dual-task exercise program on cognitive-motor interference in balance and walking tasks, balance self-efficacy, participation in everyday activities, community reintegration and incidence of falls among individuals with chronic stroke.

Introduction Many individuals after stroke continue to cope with residual physical impairments after discharge from hospital. One of the major problems encountered by people after stroke is community reintegration. Functional community ambulation not only requires a critical level of postural control and walking skills, but also the ability to engage in cognitive tasks while walking (i.e., dual-task walking) and adapt to the constantly-changing environmental contexts. There has been an increasing awareness of the importance of dual-task gait performance in community-dwelling individuals with stroke in the past few years.

There is evidence showed that dual-task balance and gait performance is significantly impaired after stroke. Increasing evidence also suggests that dual-task balance and gait performance is useful for predicting falls among individuals with stroke. Considering the high clinical relevance of dual-task balance and gait performance, it is essential that stroke rehabilitation adequately addresses dual-task deficits. Developing specific dual-task balance and gait training to enhance dual-task performance is thus necessary to promote community ambulation and reintegration.

Study Aim The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of a dual-task exercise program on cognitive-motor interference in balance and walking tasks, balance self-efficacy, participation in everyday activities, community reintegration and incidence of falls among individuals with chronic stroke.

Study design

This will be a single-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). After baseline evaluation, subjects will be randomly allocated to one of the three groups: (1) dual-task training group, (2) single-task training group, (3) strengthening and flexibility exercise group (controls), using a 1:1:1 randomization sequence.

Measurements Outcomes will be used to compare the therapeutic effects of the 3 treatment groups. The outcome measurements (except data on incidence of falls) will take place at 3 time points: (1) within one week before initiation of intervention (baseline), (2) within one week after completion of training, (3) 8 weeks after completion of training. The fall data will be collected on a monthly basis until 6 months after termination of the intervention period. All assessments will be performed by a researcher who is blinded to group allocation.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* diagnosis of a stroke
* more than 6 months of stroke onset
* aged 50 years or above
* community-dwelling
* medically stable
* score ≥21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
* score ≤ 25 on the Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest)
* able to ambulate without physical assistance of another person as determined during the 10-meter walk test
* ability to follow 3-step commands

Exclusion Criteria:

* having neurological conditions other than stroke
* not community-dwelling prior to the stroke event
* significant receptive and expressive aphasia
* severe and uncorrected hearing or visual deficits
* serious musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. amputation)
* serious cardiovascular conditions affecting the ability to participate in exercise training
* pain experienced at rest or movement
* other serious illnesses that preclude participation