Dual task paradigm in the context of falling older adult: an integrative review

Abstract

With aging, cognitive performance, gait and balance are affected. Therefore, older adults find it difficult to perform two or more tasks simultaneously, in everyday life situations. Objective: To summarize studies that investigated the relationship between gait, balance and falls in the elderly using the dual task paradigm. Methodology: Integrative literature review that included studies published between 2008 and 2021, carried out in the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL and Web of Science with the MeeSH
descriptors: gait OR walk OR balance OR posture OR age (60 years or older) OR accidental falls OR falls OR dual-task OR dual-task OR dual-task OR cognitive-task paradigm. Results: 1280 studies were found and 34 selected. It was found that the dual-task paradigm
is a useful strategy for the prior identification of older adult fallers, in addition to the fact that dual-task exercises can benefit gait and balance performance, reducing the risk of falls. Conclusion: Dual-task paradigms are effective measures to identify gait and
balance disorders. In the context of older adult fall, the use of this methodology has advantages over single-task exercises. Future studies should seek homogeneity between the assessment measures, and seek a better detailing of the exercises used.