EFFECTS OF VARIABLE-PRIORITY DUAL-TASK TRAINING ON BALANCE, GAIT, AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELDERLY WOMEN IN CHINA

Summary

This clinical trial aims to investigate the effects of variable-priority dual-task training on balance, gait, and quality of life in Chinese elderly women, exploring more effective training methods to help healthy elderly women improve balance and gait performance, reduce fall rates, and enhance quality of life. The trial primarily seeks to address the following questions:

H01: Between the three intervention groups (VPDT, FPDT, and PT), there are no statistically significant differences in balance among healthy older Chinese women at baseline (T1), week 6 (T2), or week 12 (T3).

H02: Between the three intervention groups (VPDT, FPDT, and PT), there are no statistically significant differences in gait among healthy older Chinese women at baseline (T1), week 6 (T2), or week 12 (T3).

H03: Between the three intervention groups (VPDT, FPDT, and PT), there are no statistically significant differences in QoL among healthy older Chinese women at baseline (T1), week 6 (T2), or week 12 (T3).

Researchers will compare variable-priority dual-task training with a placebo (fixed-priority dual-task training and physical training) to determine whether variable-priority dual-task training effectively improves balance, gait, and quality of life in Chinese elderly women.

Participants will:

Undergo three 60-minute training sessions per week for 12 weeks; Each session combines concurrent cognitive and physical training, with slight variations in content across the three groups; Outcome measurements will be taken at baseline, week 6 post-intervention, and week 12 post-intervention.

Conditions

• Dual-task
• Older Adults (65 Years and Older)
• Older Adults, Balance
• Balance
• Gait
• Quality of Life (QOL)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Variable-Priority Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training

Intervention Description (VPDT): Participants will receive variable-priority cognitive-motor dual-task training (VPDT) for 12 weeks. Training will be delivered in supervised sessions 3 times/week, 60 minutes/session, in a small group format. Each session combines functional balance and gait tasks (e.g., sit-to-stand, obstacle negotiation, line walking, turning, transfers) with concurrent cognitive tasks (e.g., serial subtraction/1-back/semantic fluency). Variable-priority instructions are used: participants are coached to flexibly shift attention between the motor and cognitive task across repetitions/blocks, with individualized cueing. Attendance is recorded each session; adverse events are monitored and managed according to a predefined safety protocol.

BEHAVIORAL

Fixed-Priority Cognitive-Motor Dual-Task Training

Intervention Description (FPDT): Participants will receive fixed-priority cognitive-motor dual-task training (FPDT) for 12 weeks, supervised 3 times/week, 60 minutes/session. The motor tasks and cognitive tasks are matched to the VPDT group in type and total practice time. Fixed-priority instructions are used: participants are instructed to maintain equal and consistent attention to both tasks simultaneously throughout training, without shifting priorities across blocks. Progression and safety monitoring follow the same principles as VPDT. Attendance and adverse events are documented.

BEHAVIORAL

Phsical training

The PT group first performed a 10-minute warm-up exercise. Then, in the order of the exercise tasks, they performed sit-ups, stand-ups, seated rowing, object transfer, obstacle avoidance, and connected walking training. Finally, a 10-minute relaxation activity was performed. Session duration, weekly frequency, and supervision were matched across the VPDT and FPDT groups, but PT consisted only of single-task exercises (no cognitive tasks or priority instructions).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yu Xiao

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Max Age

90 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-11-05

Primary Completion

2024-06-10

Completion

2024-06-18

Countries

• China

Study Locations