A 3-Month Dual-Task Exercise Randomized Pilot Trial Improves Dynamic Stability and Coordination in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Introduction: Dual-task (DT) exercises combine both physical and cognitive activities and have the potential to efficiently enhance both physical and cognitive function.

Background/objectives: This study aimed to determine if, compared with exercise-only (EO) and control (C) groups, adults in a DT training program improved measures of cognitive and/or physical functioning.

Methods: Thirty-five participants (Mage = 65.7 ± 8.5 years; 74.3% female, 25.7% male) were randomly sorted into EO (n = 15), DT (n = 10), and C (n = 10). EO and DT participated in 3 months of twice weekly, 50-min exercise. DT played cognitive games on a SMARTfit Cognitive-Motor Exercise System during exercise sessions. C did not participate in any supervised sessions. Cognition was assessed with a Cognivue Thrive program. Dynamic stability, coordination, and lower body strength were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models investigated effects for different groups. For outcomes showing significant (p < .05) differences, pairwise t tests were conducted between all treatment and time comparisons.

Results: Dynamic stability and coordination improved in DT and EO (p = .002 and .04, respectively), but not in C in the first 6 weeks (p = .58). Cognition and memory did not change over time among the three groups.

Conclusion: Healthy, independent-living older adults in either DT or EO improved dynamic stability and coordination over time and DT improved balance and functional mobility more than either EO or C. No improvements in several standard cognition or memory measurements were observed. Significance/Implications: A DT exercise program improved balance and coordination, but not cognition or memory, in healthy, independent-living older adults.