Multitask training to improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairment: a feasibility study

Bettina Wollesen; Natasha Celeste Pocovi; Kristina Salvestro; Sara Hurley; Liesann Seydell; Katharine Scrivener; Catherine M. Dean

doi:10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100028

Multitask training to improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairment: a feasibility study

Bettina Wollesen^*, Natasha Celeste Pocovi, Kristina Salvestro, Sara Hurley, Liesann Seydell, Katharine Scrivener, Catherine M. Dean

^*Corresponding author for this work

Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Introduction: Hearing impairment is associated with reduced balance and walking performance whilst multitasking. Multitask training to improve performance, has not been assessed in this population.

Methods: This feasibility study recruited participants from a University Hearing Clinic who attended weekly group multitask training for one month. Feasibility outcomes included training completion rates, participant-reported acceptability and adverse events. Walking outcomes were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and multitask performance.

Results: Twenty-two individuals were invited and eight agreed to participate. Six participants attended all testing (baseline, post and retention) and 79% of training. Participants enjoyed the program. Muscle soreness caused one withdrawal. No other adverse events occurred. 6MWT improved significantly following training (58m, 95% CI 17 to 98), as did walking speed during dual-tasks (12 cm/s, 95% CI 2 to 23).

Conclusions: This study suggests multitask training may improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairments. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation.

Original language	English
Article number	100028
Pages (from-to)	1-5
Number of pages	5
Journal	Aging and Health Research
Volume	1
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100028
Publication status	Published - Sept 2021

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Copyright the Author(s) 2021. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

Older adults
Dual task training
Hearing impairments
Walking performance

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title = "Multitask training to improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairment: a feasibility study",

abstract = "Introduction: Hearing impairment is associated with reduced balance and walking performance whilst multitasking. Multitask training to improve performance, has not been assessed in this population.Methods: This feasibility study recruited participants from a University Hearing Clinic who attended weekly group multitask training for one month. Feasibility outcomes included training completion rates, participant-reported acceptability and adverse events. Walking outcomes were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and multitask performance.Results: Twenty-two individuals were invited and eight agreed to participate. Six participants attended all testing (baseline, post and retention) and 79% of training. Participants enjoyed the program. Muscle soreness caused one withdrawal. No other adverse events occurred. 6MWT improved significantly following training (58m, 95% CI 17 to 98), as did walking speed during dual-tasks (12 cm/s, 95% CI 2 to 23).Conclusions: This study suggests multitask training may improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairments. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation.",

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year = "2021",

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AU - Wollesen, Bettina

AU - Pocovi, Natasha Celeste

AU - Salvestro, Kristina

AU - Hurley, Sara

AU - Seydell, Liesann

AU - Scrivener, Katharine

AU - Dean, Catherine M.

N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2021. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

PY - 2021/9

Y1 - 2021/9

N2 - Introduction: Hearing impairment is associated with reduced balance and walking performance whilst multitasking. Multitask training to improve performance, has not been assessed in this population.Methods: This feasibility study recruited participants from a University Hearing Clinic who attended weekly group multitask training for one month. Feasibility outcomes included training completion rates, participant-reported acceptability and adverse events. Walking outcomes were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and multitask performance.Results: Twenty-two individuals were invited and eight agreed to participate. Six participants attended all testing (baseline, post and retention) and 79% of training. Participants enjoyed the program. Muscle soreness caused one withdrawal. No other adverse events occurred. 6MWT improved significantly following training (58m, 95% CI 17 to 98), as did walking speed during dual-tasks (12 cm/s, 95% CI 2 to 23).Conclusions: This study suggests multitask training may improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairments. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation.

AB - Introduction: Hearing impairment is associated with reduced balance and walking performance whilst multitasking. Multitask training to improve performance, has not been assessed in this population.Methods: This feasibility study recruited participants from a University Hearing Clinic who attended weekly group multitask training for one month. Feasibility outcomes included training completion rates, participant-reported acceptability and adverse events. Walking outcomes were the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and multitask performance.Results: Twenty-two individuals were invited and eight agreed to participate. Six participants attended all testing (baseline, post and retention) and 79% of training. Participants enjoyed the program. Muscle soreness caused one withdrawal. No other adverse events occurred. 6MWT improved significantly following training (58m, 95% CI 17 to 98), as did walking speed during dual-tasks (12 cm/s, 95% CI 2 to 23).Conclusions: This study suggests multitask training may improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairments. These preliminary findings warrant further investigation.

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M1 - 100028

ER -

Multitask training to improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairment: a feasibility study

Abstract

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Keywords

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