Effect of dual-task training on balance in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Our review aims to analyze the effect of dual-task training (DTT) on balance in healthy older adults. METHODS: PubMed, EbscoHost, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EBSCO Open Dissertations, ULAKBIM (TR Index) and YOK (Council of Higher Education Thesis Center) databases and the gray literature were searched. The quality of the studies was assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and statistical analysis of the data was performed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. A funnel plot and Egger's test were used to detect publication bias. Fourteen studies with 691 participants were included. RESULTS: According to the results of our study, DTT was found to have a significant benefit on balance in older adults than the non-intervention group (standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.691: -1.153, -0.229, 95 % confidence interval (CI)). Furthermore, DTT was superior to different intervention groups in improving balance in older adults (SMD: -0.229: -0.441, -0.016, 95 % CI). CONCLUSION: The findings of this review suggest that DTT may be an effective intervention to improve balance in healthy older adults.

Evaluation of the Relationship between Static Balance and Mental Fatigue in Healthy Adults: Preliminary Study.

Mental fatigue (MF) occurs when a demanding cognitive-task is performed over a long period of time, making it difficult to continue daily tasks and maintain balance. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether the Stroop test induces mental fatigue and to examine its effects on static balance. The study is a quasi-experimental design with pre-post testing. Twenty participants (19-44) were included. Static posturography was used to evaluate balance at baseline following a 25-min relaxation period of rest and in the MFC (mental-fatigue condition) following the induction of MF with the Stroop test. The other measurements were the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The study found that mental fatigue significantly increased at MFC compared to baseline, as indicated by MFI (p=.031) and FSS (p=.007) results with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.52, d = 0.67, respectively). Similarly, the study found a statistically significant increase in mental fatigue as measured by VAS results (p=.000, d = 0.95). However, the study did not find any statistically significant impairment in static balance due to mental fatigue in healthy young subjects. The results suggest that the Stroop test can induce mental fatigue, but it does not impair static balance.