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Training of Balance Under Single- and Dual-Task Conditions in Older Adults With Balance Impairment

P Silsupadol, PT, BS(Hons), and KC Siu, PT, BS, are doctoral students, Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore
A Shumway-Cook, PT, PhD, is Associate Professor, Division of Physical Therapy, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash
MH Woollacott, PhD, is Professor, Department of Human Physiology, and Member, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon

(psilsupa{at}uoregon.edu) Address all correspondence to Ms Silsupadol at Department of Human Physiology, 1240 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-1240 (USA)

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. [Silsupadol P, Siu KC, Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott MH. Training of balance under single- and dual-task conditions in older adults with balance impairment. Phys Ther. 2006;86:269–281.]

Key Words: Aging • Balance • Posture • Rehabilitation

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