A randomized comparison of integrated versus consecutive dual-task training in people with Parkinson''s disease: The duality trial

Abstract

This project involved Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients who were randomized to two dual-task training interventions (Integrated and Consecutive) with the aim of improving their dual-task performances and achieving better lifestyles. Results confirmed that patients under the Integrated dual-task training had higher rate of increase of Gait velocity and lower fall rate compared to patients under the Consecutive dual-task training but statistically the differences were not significant (efficacy: est=0.63cm/s pvalue=0.4147, safety: est=-0.03 RR=0.97 pvalue=0.8916). Further result checks revealed that there was highest significant increase of Gait velocity (about 11cm/s increase, pvalue<0.0001) at six weeks after training interventions compared to measurements at the beginning of the study. On the other hand, greatest drop in Fall counts (about 21% drop, pvalue=0.4218) occurred six weeks after training interventions compared to Fall counts at baseline though it was not significant. In this study, it was concluded that the training practices actually improved on the performance of the dual-task among the PD patients. Though Integrated task seemed better than Consecutive in improving dual-task performances, the two approaches did not differ much from each other and can be employed to improve the dual-tasking abilities of PD patients. In addition to improved dual-task performances achieved, better lifestyle was also realised since the fall rate among the patients dropped as a result of performing the training practices.