Critically appraised paper: Group-format dual-task training reduces dual-task interference in simple mobility tasks in people with chronic stroke [synopsis]
Year: 2019
Type: article
Abstract: Question: Does a dual-task balance and mobility exercise program improve dual-task interference during walking and reduce fall incidence in people with chronic stroke?Design: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation and blinded outcome assessment.Setting: University research facility in China.Participants: Communitydwelling adults aged 50 years and at least 6 months after stroke, with balance deficits and able to walk at least 10 m and follow three-step commands.Key exclusion criteria were substantial cognitive impairment, and significant aphasia and/or neurological comorbidities.Randomisation of 84 participants allocated 28 to dual-task training, 28 to single-task training, and 28 to an active control group.Interventions: Each intervention comprised three 60-minute group training sessions per week for 8 weeks, which were supervised by two physiotherapists.The dual-task group received 30 minutes of cognitive-motor dual-task exercise and 30 minutes of upper and lower limb stretching.The singletask group received the same balance and mobility exercises and cognitive exercises as the dual-task group, except they were performed separately for 30 minutes each.The control group received stretching and upper limb strengthening exercises only for 60 minutes.Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were dual-task interference effect (%)
Source: Journal of physiotherapy
Author: Prudence Plummer
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,450
OpenAlex ID: W2946295761