Effect of Training Balance under Dual Task with Fixed and Variable Priority Instructions with Balance Impairment in Institutionalized Elderly Population

Study Design: Pre test Post test Study Design

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of dual task training under fixed and variable priority instructions set in institutionalized elder adults with balance impairment.

Background: Previous trials have investigated the effect of dual task training in community dwelling elderly population. No clinical trial examining the effect of this type of training under fixed and variable priority instructions set in institutionalized elder adults with balance impairment has been reported in the literature.

Method: 30 Institutionalized elderly patients with balance impairment were assigned in to 2 groups. The group A received Dual Task Training with fixed priority Instruction set while group B received Dual Task Training with Variable priority Instruction set. Both groups received the selected treatment over a 4 week periods. Outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, 2nd week and 4th week.

Results: The study shows significant improvement in balance of the elderly population following dual task training under fixed and variable priority instruction set. But improvement is more marked under variable priority instruction set.

Conclusion: The research hypothesis which states that there will be more improvement in balance trained with variable priority instruction set than fixed priority in elderly population with balance impairment has been accepted.