Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Traditionally, rehabilitation programs emphasize training balance under single-task conditions to improve balance and reduce risk for falls. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 balance training approaches in older adults with impaired balance. CASE DESCRIPTIONS:...
| Published in: | Physical Therapy Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 269 - 282 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Oxford University Press / USA
Feb2006
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| Summary: | BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Traditionally, rehabilitation programs emphasize training balance under single-task conditions to improve balance and reduce risk for falls. The purpose of this case report is to describe 3 balance training approaches in older adults with impaired balance. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: Three patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 interventions: (1) single-task balance training, (2) dual-task training under a fixed-priority instructional set, and (3) dual-task training under a variable-priority instructional set. OUTCOMES: The patients who received balance training under dual-task conditions showed dual-task training benefits; these training benefits were maintained for 3 months. The patient who received variable-priority training showed improvement on novel dual tasks. DISCUSSION: Older adults may be able to improve their balance under dual-task conditions only following specific types of balance training. This case report gives insight on how this intervention might be combined with more traditional physical therapy intervention. |
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