The effect of single and dual task training on balance and gait in women with knee osteoarthritis: Randomized controlled study

Knee osteoarthritis, which affects a majority of mature population, causes a loss of balance, a gait pattern that can trigger fallings and increase of addiction to the cognitive resources to compensate the loss of control. While the postural control is maintained by dual task training, it is aimed to improve the simultaneous performance of a cognitive and motor task at the same time. The study aim to research the effects of single and dual task training to the balance abilities and gait performance in women patients with knee osteoarthritis. Twenty participants age between 50-75 who met the inclusion criteria included in the study. Patients are randomly seperated into single training group (n=10) and dual training group (n=10). Patients were evaluated in terms of balance, gait and cognitive function before and after the education. According to the findings, balance and gait performance improved in both training groups (p<0,05). However a significant difference has not been able to found when the two groups are compared (p>0,05). Dual task training, has caused a regression on cognitive abilities as distinct from single task training (p<0,05). In conclusion, it has been found that single and dual knee task training have the similiar effects on improving balance and gait performance in patients with knee osteoarthritis, however, dual task training has affected cognitive functions positively. In consequence, dual task training is recommended on the purpose of reducing the falling incidents in the rehabilitation of patients with knee osteoarthritis and supporting the confident movement in society. Keywords: Knee osteoarthritis, dual task, balance, gait, cognition.