Objective:To observe any effect of dual-task training on abnormal gait and fall risk among hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:A total of 90 stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group, a cognitive dual-task group, and a motor dual-task group, each of 30. All 3 groups received conventional post-stroke medication and rehabilitation training, but the cognitive and motor dual-task groups received cognitive or motor dual-task training as well. Before and after 4 weeks of the training, everyone′s balance, walking and lower limb motor functioning were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUGT) and the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE). Additionally, three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to document gait speed, bilateral spatial asymmetry, bilateral temporal asymmetry, and the dual-task cost (DTC) of gait speed.Results:Significant improvement was observed in the average BBS scores, TUGT times, FMA-LE scores, gait speed, DTC of gait speed, bilateral spatial asymmetry ratios, and bilateral temporal asymmetry ratios of all 3 groups after the experiment. The averages of the cognitive dual-task group were then significantly better than the control group′s averages. The motor dual-task group′s average BBS score (42.67±7.87), TUGT time [(22.30±8.53)s], gait speed (0.58±0.2m/s), DTC of gait speed (19.02±5.99%), and bilateral spatial asymmetry ratio (19.79±10.41%) were then significantly better than the control group′s averages but not significantly different from those of the cognitive dual-task group.Conclusions:Dual-task training can significantly improve the balance, walking and lower limb motor function of stroke survivors, correcting their abnormal gait patterns and consequently reducing their fall risks.

Objective:To observe any effect of dual-task training on abnormal gait and fall risk among hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods:A total of 90 stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group, a cognitive dual-task group, and a motor dual-task group, each of 30. All 3 groups received conventional post-stroke medication and rehabilitation training, but the cognitive and motor dual-task groups received cognitive or motor dual-task training as well. Before and after 4 weeks of the training, everyone′s balance, walking and lower limb motor functioning were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUGT) and the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE). Additionally, three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to document gait speed, bilateral spatial asymmetry, bilateral temporal asymmetry, and the dual-task cost (DTC) of gait speed.Results:Significant improvement was observed in the average BBS scores, TUGT times, FMA-LE scores, gait speed, DTC of gait speed, bilateral spatial asymmetry ratios, and bilateral temporal asymmetry ratios of all 3 groups after the experiment. The averages of the cognitive dual-task group were then significantly better than the control group′s averages. The motor dual-task group′s average BBS score (42.67±7.87), TUGT time [(22.30±8.53)s], gait speed (0.58±0.2m/s), DTC of gait speed (19.02±5.99%), and bilateral spatial asymmetry ratio (19.79±10.41%) were then significantly better than the control group′s averages but not significantly different from those of the cognitive dual-task group.Conclusions:Dual-task training can significantly improve the balance, walking and lower limb motor function of stroke survivors, correcting their abnormal gait patterns and consequently reducing their fall risks.