Effects of dual-task training on gait and motor ability in patients with Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Clinical rehabilitation Vol. 37; no. 7; p. 942
• Main Authors: Du, Yi-Hong, Ma, Jun, Hu, Jing-Yun, Zhu, Lei, Wang, Li-Yan, Yang, Ruo-Yu, Liang, Lei-Chao, Jiang, Men, Cai, Ming, Pu, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Gait; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Physical Therapy Modalities; Postural Balance; dual-task training; gait; motor ability; Parkinson’s disease; Meta-analysis
• ISSN: 1477-0873
• DOI: 10.1177/02692155221146085

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the world, which seriously damages motor and balance ability. Dual-task training is discussed as an appropriate intervention. The aim of this review was to synthesize the existing research findings on the efficacy of dual-task training for people with Parkinson's disease. A systematic search on PubMed, CENTRAL, Embase, Web of Science, and PEDro, randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) of dual-task training for individuals with Parkinson's disease. Articles published until 1 November 2022 were included. Our search identified 7 RCTs with a total of 406 subjects. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for bias evaluation and to process the results of the outcome measures collected from the investigations. Dual-task training was associated with significant improvement in most motor and balance outcomes including gait velocity (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.37-0.87;  = 31%;  = 0.21), cadence (SMD = 0.29; 95% CI, 0.05-0.53;  = 0%;  = 0.71), timed-up-and-go test (mean difference (MD) = -2.38; 95% CI, -3.93 to -0.84;  = 32%;  = 0.22) and mini-balance evaluation systems test (MD = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.05-3.03;  = 0%;  = 0.92). Evidence from meta-analyses suggests that dual-task training may improve motor and balance abilities in Parkinson's disease patients. Future research should focus on finding the most appropriate dual-task treatment model for patients with different degrees, in order to further improve the rehabilitation treatment of Parkinson's disease.