| الملخص: |
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms that predispose individuals to fall, which negatively impacts physical activity behavior. Dual-task (i.e., simultaneous training of gait and cognition) and single-task training (training gait and cognition separately) has been shown to be efficacious in improving PD function; however, the effects of these interventions on physical activity and factors related to physical activity has yet to be assessed. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine the effects of dual-task and single-task interventions on physical activity behavior, fall frequency, PD motor symptoms, exercise self-efficacy, and balance confidence in individuals with PD with a history of falls. METHODS: Twenty-one individuals with PD were randomized into a single-task (n = 11) or dual-task (n = 10) group and trained three times/week for eight-weeks for 40 minutes each session. Physical activity, 30-day fall frequency, self-efficacy for exercise (SEE), balance confidence, and PD motor symptoms were assessed at three time points (baseline, end of treatment and four-week follow up). RESULTS: Physical activity and motor symptoms significantly (p = 0.04) improved for both groups. Fall frequency decreased for the dual-task group only (p = 0.02). SEE only increased from end of treatment to four-week follow up for single-task group (p = 0.02) and balance confidence remained unchanged for both groups (p = 0.25). DISCUSSION: Overall, both the single-task and dual-task groups were successful in increasing physical activity behavior, which may have been a result of the improvement in motor symptoms shown in both groups. The dual-task group was able to decrease fall frequency from baseline levels, while, relative to baseline, neither group improved self-efficacy or balance confidence. |
