Effect of dual tasks on balance ability in stroke patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of training using dualtasks on balance ability in stroke patients. [Subjects] Forty stroke patients were dividedinto a dual-task training group (N = 20) and a single task training group (N = 20)randomly. [Methods] The subjects in the single-task traing group stood in a comfortableposition, faced a therapist, then threw a Swiss ball back and forth. They then performedbalance training in which they raised and lowered their ankles while facing forward ormoved objects from one table to another. The DTG performed dual tasks, which involvedperforming a task on an unstable surface using a balance pad. Both groups receivedtraining 30 min per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] The DTG showedsignificant increases in weight distribution rate, anterior limit of stability, posteriorlimit of stability, and BBS scores compared with the STG. [Conclusion] According to theresults of this study, dual-task training and single-task training were effective inimproving balance in stroke patients, dual task training is more effective for increasingbalance ability.Key words: Stroke, Dual-task training, Balance