Effects of dual-task training on walking and balance in stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of different dual-task training modalities on walking and balance in stroke patients using network meta-analysis. Data sources: Randomized controlled trials were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge...

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Published in:Clinical Rehabilitation Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 433 - 451
Main Authors: Zhao, Yuxin, Guo, Chuanle, Zhang, Deqi, Wei, Xiaohui, Jiang, Xiaoyu, Bi, Hongyan
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Apr2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2026
      vid: 40
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        atl: Effects of dual-task training on walking and balance in stroke patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.
      aug:
        au:
          Zhao, Yuxin
          Guo, Chuanle
          Zhang, Deqi
          Wei, Xiaohui
          Jiang, Xiaoyu
          Bi, Hongyan
        affil: College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
      sug:
        subj:
          Stroke Complications
          Stroke Rehabilitation
          Gait Disorders, Neurologic Rehabilitation
          Balance, Postural Physiology
          Walking Physiology
          Therapeutic Exercise
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Treatment Outcomes
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          PubMed
          Embase
          Cochrane Library
          Clinical Assessment Tools
          Scales
          Motor Skills
          Cognition
          Attention
          Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
          Treadmills
          Robotics
          Rehabilitation, Cognitive
          Statistical Significance
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
      ab: Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of different dual-task training modalities on walking and balance in stroke patients using network meta-analysis. Data sources: Randomized controlled trials were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Database from inception to September 2025. Review methods: Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. A frequentist approach was applied for network meta-analysis, and evidence quality was evaluated with confidence in the network meta-analysis framework. Results: Thirty-four trials covering 10 dual-task modalities were included. Network meta-analysis results showed that motor-walking dual-task training was the most effective in improving cadence (mean difference = 7.04, 95% CI : 1.95 to 12.12), walking speed (standardized mean difference = 0.67, 95% CI : 0.27 to 1.06), step length (standardized mean difference = 0.56, 95% CI : 0.20 to 0.92), stride (standardized mean difference = 0.76, 95% CI : 0.45 to 1.08), 10-Meter Walk Test (standardized mean difference = 0.73, 95% CI : 0.05 to 1.12) and berg balance scale (mean difference = 5.76, 95% CI : 1.38 to 10.14). Cognitive-balance dual-task training showed the greatest improvement in Timed Up and Go test (mean difference = −4.73, 95% CI : −10.24 to −0.78). The certainty of evidence for most outcomes, assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework, ranged from very low to high. Conclusions: Motor-walking dual-task training best improved cadence, walking speed, step length, stride, 10-Meter Walk Test, and Berg Balance Scale. Cognitive-balance dual-task training showed the greatest improvement in Timed Up and Go test. These results inform future guidelines and clinical decisions for stroke patients' walking and balance rehabilitation.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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