《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (12): 1426-1434.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.12.007

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Benefits of dual-task intervention on balance function for healthy aged people: a systematic review

LAN Wencen,ZHANG Danxuan,WANG Bin()   

  1. School of Physical Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
  • Received:2022-11-29 Revised:2022-12-01 Published:2022-12-25 Online:2023-01-10
  • Contact: WANG Bin E-mail:bwang@mail.ccnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To conduct systematic review on the benefits of dual-task intervention on balance function for healthy aged people.

Methods The Web of Science core collection, PubMed, CNKI, and Wanfang database were searched for randomized controlled trial (RCTs) on the effects of dual-task interventions on balance function in healthy aged people from January 1st, 2010, to November, 2022. The quality of the literature was evaluated with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Literature screening, data extraction, and risk bias assessment were performed by two researchers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results Fourteen RCTs of dual-task interventions for balance function in healthy older adults from ten countries with a total of 1 279 healthy aged people from the research fields of sport psychology, exercise rehabilitation, and geriatric rehabilitation were finally included. The mean score of the PEDro scale was 7.85. The main types of dual-task modalities for balance function interventions for aged people were motor-cognitive, motor-motor and cognitive-cognitive. Within these, the main motor intervention modalities were physical fitness such as balance training and strength training, and motor skill such as postural control and gait exercises. Motor-cognitive dual-task interventions referred to simultaneously performing motor and cognitive skills exercises, such as memory, attention and executive functions. Motor-motor dual-task interventions referred to simultaneously performing motor and second motor exercises, such as object-holding exercises and daily routines. Cognitive-cognitive dual-task interventions referred to simultaneously performing two cognitive exercises. The efftects of dual-task intervention model on balance function of aged people might be in three aspects. (1) Balance function: maintaining standing posture and moving oneself. (2) Balance function-related physical fitness: lower limb muscle strength functions, etc. (3) Balance function-related mental and overall health functioning: single-task walking, dual-task walking, daily life, falling possibility, fear of falling, balance confidence, etc.

Conclusion Both dual-task and single-task intervention modes could improve the balance function and related physical fitness of healthy aged people, improve the stability of standing posture and self-mobility, improve the strength and function of lower limbs, and reduce the risk of falls and psychological fear. In particular, the dual-task intervention model is superior to the single-task intervention model in improving dual-task balance control performance, and was more able to improve the ability of daily living and overall health development.

Key words: dual-task intervention, healthy aged people, balance function, systematic review

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