Effects of a multi-task walking program on attention of frail elderly subjects in a day-care facility

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a multi-task walking program on attention of the frail elderly. [Methods] The study subjects were 19 frail elderly attending a day-care facility. The nine-month intervention consisted of a three-month single-task walking program, a three-month single and multi-task walking program, and a three-month single-task walking program. Measurements included attention (trail making test part A), and executive function (trail making test part B), balance ability (timed up-and-go test), and 5 m walking speed. [Results] The results of twelve subjects were analyzed. The multi-task walking session was only two minutes whereas the single-task walking session lasted for 25 min. The Attention (TMT-A) changed significantly. In addition, the subgroup with higher balance ability improved after the multi-task intervention. [Conclusion] The multi-task walking program with low frequency and intensity was useful for improving the attention and balance ability of frail elderly attending a day-care facility.