THE EFFECT OF DUAL TASK TRAINING ON STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE OF OLDER ADULTS HAVING INSTITUTIONAL LIVING: RANDOMIZED TRIAL

Introduction: In the presented study it was aimed to observe the effects of dual-task on static and dynamic balance and to present if static and dynamic balance training under dual-task performance effect the static and dynamic balance ability positively among the older adults having an institutional living. Materials and Method: Fifty volunteer individuals (72.02 +/- 6.60 years of age, ranging between 64 and 91; 12% women, n=6,88% men, n=44) took part in this study. Evaluations as Barthel Activity of Daily Living Index, Berg Balance Scale and Berg Balance Scale Under Dual-Task Performance were performed both before and after trainings. The participants were divided into two groups by computer-generated randomization table: Group A (n=26, number of sessions=5) and Group B (n=24, number of sessions=7). Results: Balance score was not affected by dual-task performance, and no differences were found between groups (p>0.05). For groups, balance score both with and without dual-task performance showed positive improvement after training (p=0.00). Conclusion: Training had positive effects for both group's balance with and without dual-task performance, but not affected by the session numbers. Physiotherapists should prefer 5 training instead of 6,7 or 8. Yet it could be cost-effective by providing important health benefits, time gains, labor force at relatively low cost. Besides, the study offers standardized flow for both assessment and training on balance under dual-task performance for the older adult population.