COGNITIVE VERSUS MOTOR DUAL TASK BALANCE PERFORMANCE AND FALLS IN MIDDLE-AGED AND ELDERLY ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the cognitive and motor dual-task performance and falls in middle-aged and elderly adults. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study included 84 adults, separated into two age groups of middle-aged adults (50-64 years) and elderly adults (65 years and older). The descriptive characteristics of the participants and the fall rate in the last year were recorded. The timed up-and-go test, four square step test and one leg step test performances were evaluated under single task, cognitive dual task (verbal fluency) and motor dual task (tray-carrying) conditions. Results: The fall rate was 16.7% in middle-aged adults and 33.3% in elderly adults. The performance of elderly adults in the timed up-and-go test, four square step test and one leg stance test was lower than those of middle-aged adults under single task, cognitive dual task and motor dual task conditions (p<0.05). Performance was lower under cognitive dual task conditions for all tests in middle-aged and elderly adults (p<0.05). The timed up and go test and four square step test performances of non-faller elderly adults were better than those who fell (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that single-task and dual-task balance performance in older adults is lower than in middle-aged adults, and lower in elderly adults who have a history of falls than in non-fallers. Efforts such as dual-task balance training to improve dual-task performance from middle age may be beneficial in reducing the risk of falls.