Effect of the cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cue on balance of surviviors with chronic stroke: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cues on the balance of patients with chronic stroke.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation center.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-seven individuals with chronic stroke.

INTERVENTIONS

The participants were randomly allocated to the dual-task group (n=19) and the single-task group (n=18). The dual-task group performed a cognitive-motor dual-task in which they carried a circular ring from side to side according to a random auditory cue during treadmill walking. The single-task group walked on a treadmill only. All subjects completed 15 min per session, three times per week, for four weeks with conventional rehabilitation five times per week over the four weeks.

MAIN MEASURES

Before and after intervention, both static and dynamic balance were measured with a force platform and using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.

RESULTS

The dual-task group showed significant improvement in all variables compared to the single-task group, except for anteroposterior (AP) sway velocity with eyes open and TUG at follow-up: mediolateral (ML) sway velocity with eye open (dual-task group vs. single-task group: 2.11 mm/s vs. 0.38 mm/s), ML sway velocity with eye close (2.91 mm/s vs. 1.35 mm/s), AP sway velocity with eye close (4.84 mm/s vs. 3.12 mm/s). After intervention, all variables showed significant improvement in the dual-task group compared to baseline.

CONCLUSION

The study results suggest that the performance of a cognitive-motor dual-task using auditory cues may influence balance improvements in chronic stroke patients.