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

Bettina Wollesen; Natasha Pocovi; Kristina Salvestro; Sara Hurley; Liesann Seydell; Katharine Scrivener; Catherine Mary 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 Pocovi, Kristina Salvestro, Sara Hurley, Liesann Seydell, Katharine Scrivener, Catherine Mary Dean

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

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
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
Externally published	Yes

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10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100028Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

@article{1e643aac0cd84fc2bb921d54cb99d9e1,

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",

author = "Bettina Wollesen and Natasha Pocovi and Kristina Salvestro and Sara Hurley and Liesann Seydell and Katharine Scrivener and Dean, \{Catherine Mary\}",

year = "2021",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100028",

language = "English",

volume = "1",

journal = "Aging and Health Research",

issn = "2667-0321",

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T1 - Multitask training to improve walking performance in older adults with hearing impairment

T2 - A feasibility study

AU - Wollesen, Bettina

AU - Pocovi, Natasha

AU - Salvestro, Kristina

AU - Hurley, Sara

AU - Seydell, Liesann

AU - Scrivener, Katharine

AU - Dean, Catherine Mary

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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DO - 10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100028

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