Dataset Information

Validation of a dual-task exercise program to improve balance and gait speed in older people (DualPro): a Delphi study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most physical exercise programs for older people work the physical component in isolation, excluding cognitive aspects. Previous studies reported that both components (physical and cognitive) are necessary for correct functioning of older people in the society.

Purpose

To create and validate a dual-task exercise program (DualPro) to improve balance and gait speed in older people.

Methods

Expert consensus or the Delphi Method was used for validation. A group of 17 experts in neurorehabilitation and geriatrics was recruited to assess the proposed exercise program. They were selected taking into account their experience in clinical practice as well as their knowledge of the subject through the use of the expert competence coefficient (K). Online questionnaires were sent with a total of 11 exercises, which had to be rated using a "Likert" scale from 1 to 7.

Results

Two rounds were conducted to achieve 100% consensus in all exercises. The interquartile range of each exercise in both rounds was stable. During the second round, the relative interquartile range was less than 15% in all the questions, thus demonstrating consensus among the experts.

Conclusion

Experts in neurorehabilitation and geriatrics have concluded the validity of the progressive and systematized program of dual-task exercises focused on improving balance and gait speed for older people. This exercise program can help in the homogenization of the use of dual-task exercises in future studies and in professional practice.

SUBMITTER: Varela-Vasquez LA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8992645 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Validation of a dual-task exercise program to improve balance and gait speed in older people (DualPro): a Delphi study.

Varela-Vásquez Luz Adriana LA Girabent-Farrés Montserrat M Medina-Rincón Almudena A Rierola-Fochs Sandra S Jerez-Roig Javier J Minobes-Molina Eduard E

PeerJ 20220405

<h4>Background</h4>Most physical exercise programs for older people work the physical component in isolation, excluding cognitive aspects. Previous studies reported that both components (physical and cognitive) are necessary for correct functioning of older people in the society.<h4>Purpose</h4>To create and validate a dual-task exercise program (DualPro) to improve balance and gait speed in older people.<h4>Methods</h4>Expert consensus or the Delphi Method was used for validation. A group of 17 ...[more]

PMID: 35402108

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Project description:Objective: Physical and cognitive impairments are common with aging and often coexist. Changes in the level of physical and mental activity are prognostic for adverse health events and falls. Dual-task (DT) training programs that can improve mobility and cognition simultaneously can bring significant improvements in rehabilitation. The objective of this mixed methods exploratory RCT was to provide evidence for the feasibility and therapeutic value of a novel game-assisted DT exercise program in older adults. Methods: Twenty-two community dwelling participants, between the ages of 70-85 were randomized to either dual-task treadmill walking (DT-TR) or dual-task recumbent bicycle (DT-RC). Both groups viewed a standard LED computer monitor and performed a range of cognitive game tasks while walking or cycling; made possible with the use of a "hands-free", miniature, inertial-based computer mouse. Participants performed their respective 1-h DT exercise program twice a week, for 12 weeks at a community fitness centre. Semi-structured interviews and qualitative analysis was conducted to evaluate the participant's experiences with the exercise program. Quantitative analysis included measures of standing balance, gait function (spatiotemporal gait variable), visuomotor and executive cognitive function, tested under single and DT walking conditions. Results: Compliance was 100% for all 22 participants. Four themes captured the range of participant's experiences and opinions: 1) reasons for participation, 2) difficulties with using the technologies, 3) engagement with the computer games, and 4) positive effects of the program. Both groups showed significant improvements in standing balance performance, visuomotor and visuospatial executive function. However, significant improvement in dual task gait function was observed only in the DT-TR group. Medium to large effect sizes were observed for most balance, spatiotemporal gait variables, and cognitive performance measure. Conclusion: With only minor difficulties with the technology being reported, the findings demonstrate feasible trial procedures and acceptable DT oriented training with a high compliance rate and positive outcomes. These findings support further research and development, and will direct the next phase of a full-scale RCT.

Project description:Exercise interventions often do not combine physical and cognitive training. However, this combination is assumed to be more beneficial in improving walking and cognitive functioning compared to isolated cognitive or physical training.A multicenter parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare a motor to a cognitive-motor exercise program. A total of 182 eligible residents of homes-for-the-aged (n?=?159) or elderly living in the vicinity of the homes (n?=?23) were randomly assigned to either strength-balance (SB) or strength-balance-cognitive (SBC) training. Both groups conducted similar strength-balance training during 12 weeks. SBC additionally absolved computerized cognitive training. Outcomes were dual task costs of walking, physical performance, simple reaction time, executive functions, divided attention, fear of falling and fall rate. Participants were analysed with an intention to treat approach.The 182 participants (mean age?±?SD: 81.5?±?7.3 years) were allocated to either SB (n?=?98) or SBC (n?=?84). The attrition rate was 14.3%. Interaction effects were observed for dual task costs of step length (preferred walking speed: F(1,174)?=?4.94, p?=?0.028, ?2?=?0.027, fast walking speed: F(1,166)?=?6.14, p?=?0.009, ?2?=?0.040) and dual task costs of the standard deviation of step length (F(1,166)?=?6.14, p?=?0.014, ?2?=?0.036), in favor of SBC. Significant interactions in favor of SBC revealed for in gait initiation (F(1,166)?=?9.16, p?=?0.003, ?2?=?0.052), 'reaction time' (F(1,180)?=?5.243, p?=?0.023, ?²?=?0.028) & 'missed answers' (F(1,180)?=?11.839, p?=?0.001, ?²?=?0.062) as part of the test for divided attention. Within-group comparison revealed significant improvements in dual task costs of walking (preferred speed; velocity (p?=?0.002), step time (p?=?0.018), step length (p?=?0.028), fast speed; velocity (p?<?0.001), step time (p?=?0.035), step length (p?=?0.001)), simple reaction time (p?<?0.001), executive functioning (Trail making test B; p?<?0.001), divided attention (p?<?0.001), fear of falling (p?<?0.001), and fall rate (p?<?0.001).Combining strength-balance training with specific cognitive training has a positive additional effect on dual task costs of walking, gait initiation, and divided attention. The findings further confirm previous research showing that strength-balance training improves executive functions and reduces falls.This trial has been registered under ISRCTN75134517.

Project description:Background and Objectives: The world's population is rapidly aging, and it is estimated that, by 2050, every sixth person on earth will be older than 65 years. Around 30% of older adults entering cardiac rehabilitation (CR) meet the criteria of frailty. Frailty identification has not been included in the routine evaluation of CR patients yet, and there is a lack of evidence on what training regimen for improving physical performance in frail people is optimal. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of frailty and to evaluate the effect of two different complementary training programs on the gait speed of older vulnerable and frail patients with acute coronary syndrome and mid-range-to-preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (≥40%) during short-term CR. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted from January 2020 to September 2021. CR participants (n = 97) with a mean age of 73.1 ± 5.3 years were randomly allocated into three groups: control (CG, n = 32), intervention-1 (IG-1, n = 32) and intervention-2 (IG-2, n = 33). The patients of all three groups attended a usual inpatient CR program, and two intervention groups additionally received different resistance and balance training programs 3 days a week: the IG-1 underwent complementary training with traditional means of physical therapy, while the IG-2 underwent complementary training with mechanical devices. The mean CR duration was 18.9 ± 1.7 days. Frailty was assessed with the Edmonton Frail Scale, and the 5 m walk test was used to evaluate gait speed. Results: Frailty was determined in 37.1% of participants, and 42.3% met the criteria of being vulnerable. After CR, the gait speed of frail and vulnerable patients significantly improved in all three groups (p < 0.05). In the IG-2, slow gait speed was reversed to normal in the overwhelming majority of patients (p < 0.05), while the CG had the greatest proportion of patients who remained to be slow after CR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A considerable part of patients entering CR are frail or vulnerable; therefore, it is of crucial importance to assess frailty status in all older people. All three CR programs improved gait speed in frail and vulnerable older patients with ischemic heart disease. Complementary resistance and balance training with mechanical devices more effectively reversed slow gait speed to normal during short-term CR.

Dataset Information

Validation of a dual-task exercise program to improve balance and gait speed in older people (DualPro): a Delphi study.

Background

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Validation of a dual-task exercise program to improve balance and gait speed in older people (DualPro): a Delphi study.

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