Abstract
Background: Mobility limitations and cognitive impairments which are common with ageing often coexist, causing a reduction in the levels of physical and mental activity and are prognostic of future adverse health events and falls. Consequently, multi-task training paradigms that simultaneously address both mobility and cognition benefit healthy ageing are important to consider in rehabilitation as well as primary prevention. Objectives: An exploratory RCT is being conducted to: a) describe the feasibility and acceptability of the study design and process, procedures, resources and management in two game-based dual-task training programs delivered in the community; b) to explore the lived experiences of the study participants who completed their respective exercise programs. A secondary objective is to obtain preliminary data on the therapeutic effectiveness of the two dual-task training programs. Methods: Thirty healthy older community dwelling participants aged 70 - 85 with previous history of falls will be recruited and randomized to either dual- task treadmill walking (experimental group) or dual-task recumbent bicycle (control group). Data analysis: The qualitative data will be analyzed by two investigators using a content analysis approach. For the quantitative data, outcome measures will be collected pre and post intervention and included measures to assess core balance, spatial-temporal gait variables, visual tracking and cognitive function, as well as, balance and gait analysis under dual-task conditions. Discussion: This research will demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-task training programs in the community, and demonstrate the system’s ability to improve targeted and integrated (dual-task) aspects of balance, mobility, gaze, and cognitive performance. A blended analysis of balance, mobility gaze and cognition will also contribute to a better understanding of the functional consequences of decline in physical and mental skills with age. Trial registration: This pilot clinical trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: NCT01940055.
Highlights
IntroductionThey become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of sedentary lifestyles and chronic disabilities
As people live longer, they become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of sedentary lifestyles and chronic disabilities
This research project will determine the feasibility of a novel dual-task gaming intervention and assessment subsystem as a platform for assessment and treatment of balance, mobility, gaze, cognition and dual-tasking functions
Summary
They become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of sedentary lifestyles and chronic disabilities. Mobility limitations and increased fall risk can occur due to singular events (e.g. stroke) or can have an insidious onset, with the problem source found in multiple predisposing factors, such as, the gradual age decline of cardiovascular fitness, muscular-skeletal fitness and neural fitness [5] [6]. Each of these systems that underlie mobility has a certain amount of capacity or functional reserve.
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