Comparison of the Effects of Motor and Cognitive Dual Task Exercises on Fall Risk, Balance, and Gait

Individuals residing in nursing homes who were aged between 65 and 95 years, able to walk independently, literate, willing to participate, and cognitively capable of understanding and performing the assessments and exercises were included in the study.

Individuals with systemic or metabolic conditions such as malignancy, osteoporosis, history of fracture, coagulation disorders, active infection, orthostatic hypotension, or pacemaker implantation were excluded. Participants were withdrawn from the study if they discontinued the intervention, failed to attend pre- or post-intervention assessments, or were unable to understand or perform the required tests and exercises.

A total of 69 eligible participants were allocated into three groups using a systematic allocation sequence based on the order of enrollment. Participants were assigned sequentially to the motor dual-task group, cognitive dual-task group, or control group in a 1:1:1 ratio.

Due to the absence of a dedicated exercise room, all interventions were conducted in participants' rooms using space-adapted exercise protocols.

Participants in the motor dual-task group performed a structured exercise program consisting of the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, Timed Up and Go test (3 m), single-leg stance, 10-meter tandem walking, 10-meter normal walking, and a 20-meter marching activity while simultaneously carrying a tray filled with water.

Participants in the cognitive dual-task group performed the same exercise program combined with a concurrent cognitive task. During each exercise, participants were instructed to verbally generate proper nouns beginning with the letter "A".

The control group performed a conventional exercise program of equivalent duration and frequency without any additional dual-task component.

All interventions were administered for approximately 40 minutes per session, three times per week, for eight weeks.

Baseline demographic characteristics, including participant identification number, group allocation, age, sex, body weight, and height, were recorded using a standardized assessment form. All evaluations were performed before and after the eight-week intervention period by the same physiotherapist to ensure assessment consistency and minimize inter-rater variability.

Fall risk was assessed using the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST). Balance and gait performance were evaluated using the 2-Minute Walk Test (2MWT), Single-Leg Stance Test, Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test, Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Scale, and Functional Reach Test.