The Effects of Dual Task Training on Balance, Gait Performance, and Fall Risk in Older Adults: A Current Literature Review

Abstract

Dual tasking in older adults is closely related to gait and balance functions and is a very important factor influencing the risk of falls. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of dual task training on functional performance and to fall risk in the elderly based on current literature, and to offer suggestions for clinical application. Accordingly, studies related to this scope were searched in the databases of PubMed, TR Dizin, Web of Science and Scopus randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews were considered as the main literature. The findings suggest that dual task training significantly improves balance, gait performance, and functional mobility, and postural stability and step parameters were enhanced after dual task training. Moreover, a few studies showed the potential of dual task interventions for fall risk reduction by enhancing cognitive-motor integration. However, a direct comparison across the findings is restrained by the heterogeneity of protocols of intervention and assessment. In summary, dual task training appears to be an effective strategy to enhance functional performance and decrease fall risk in the elderly. Studies with good quality and utilizing standardized protocols are warranted for developing clinical practices.

Keywords

• Dual Task
• Older Adults
• Balance
• Gait
• Fall risk

Yaşlı Bireylerde Dual Task Eğitiminin Denge, Yürüme Performansı ve Düşme Riski Üzerine Etkileri: Güncel Literatür Derlemesi

Abstract

Dual task (çift görev) performansı, yaşlı bireylerde denge ve yürüme fonksiyonları ile yakından ilişkili olup düşme riskini etkileyen önemli bir faktördür. Bu derlemenin amacı, dual task eğitiminin yaşlı bireylerde fonksiyonel performans ve düşme riski üzerindeki etkilerini güncel literatür doğrultusunda değerlendirmek ve klinik uygulamalara yönelik çıkarımlar sunmaktır. Bu kapsamda, ilgili çalışmalar PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus ve TR Dizin veri tabanlarında taranmış; randomize kontrollü çalışmalar ile sistematik derlemeler öncelikli olarak incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlar, dual task eğitiminin denge, yürüyüş performansı ve fonksiyonel mobiliteyi geliştirdiğini; postüral stabilite ve adım parametrelerinde iyileşmeler sağladığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca, bazı çalışmalar ise dual task müdahalelerinin bilişsel-motor entegrasyonu destekleyerek düşme riskini azaltabileceğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bununla birlikte, müdahale protokolleri ve değerlendirme yöntemlerindeki heterojenlik, bulguların doğrudan karşılaştırılmasını sınırlamaktadır. Dual task eğitimi yaşlı bireylerde fonksiyonel performansı iyileştirmede ve düşme riskini azaltmada etkili bir yaklaşım olarak öne çıkmaktadır. Standardize edilmiş protokollerle yürütülecek yüksek kaliteli çalışmalar ile klinik uygulamaların geliştirilmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır.

Keywords

• Dual task
• Yaşlı bireyler
• Denge
• Yürüme
• Düşme Riski

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