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The Influence of Audio-Visual Cueing (Traffic Light) on Dual Task Walking in Healthy Older Adults and Older Adults with Balance Impairments
Kaewkaen, Kitchana; Wongsamud, Phongphat; Ngaothanyaphat, Jiratchaya; Supawarapong, Papawarin; Uthama, Suraphong; Ruengsirarak, Worasak; Chanabun, Suthin & Kaewkaen, Pratchaya
Abstract
Background: The walking gait of older adults with balance impairment is affected by dual
tasking. Several studies have shown that external cues can stimulate improvement in older adults’
performance. There is, however, no current evidence to support the usefulness of external cues,
such as audio-visual cueing, in dual task walking in older adults. Thus, the aim of this study was
to investigate the influence of an audio-visual cue (simulated traffic light) on dual task walking in
healthy older adults and in older adults with balance impairments.
Methods: A two-way repeated measures study was conducted on 14 healthy older adults
and 14 older adults with balance impairment, who were recruited from the community in Chiang
Rai, Thailand. Their walking performance was assessed using a four-metre walking test at their
preferred gait speed and while walking under two further gait conditions, in randomised order:
dual task walking and dual task walking with a simulated traffic light. Each participant was tested
individually, with the testing taking between 15 and 20 minutes to perform, including two-minute
rest periods between walking conditions. Two Kinect cameras recorded the spatio-temporal
parameters using MFU gait analysis software. Each participant was tested for each condition
twice. The mean parameters for each condition were analysed using a two-way repeated measures
analysis of variance (ANOVA) with participant group and gait condition as factors.
Result: There was no significant between-group effect for walking speed, stride length and
cadence. There were also no significant effects between gait condition and stride length or cadence.
However, the effect between gait condition and walking speed was found to be significant [F(1.557,
40.485) = 4.568, P = 0.024, ηp2 = 0.149].
Conclusion: An audio-visual cue (simulated traffic light) was found to influence walking
speed in both healthy older adults and in older adults with balance impairment. The results suggest
that audio-visual cues could be incorporated into healthy lifestyle promotion in older adults with
balance impairment.
Keywords
older adults; balance impairment; audio-visual cueing; dual task walking; healthy lifestyle promotion
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