Effects of multicomponent and dual-task exercise on falls in nursing homes: The AgeingOn Dual-Task study


Author: Chloe Rezola-Pardo1, Jon Irazusta2, Itxaso Mugica-Errazquin3, Ines Gamio4, Yanina Sarquis-Adamson5, Susana María Gil6, Maider Ugartemendia3, Manuel Montero-Odasso7, Ana Rodriguez-Larrad2

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain. Electronic address: chloe.rezola@ehu.eus.

<sup>2</sup> Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain; BioCruces Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.

<sup>3</sup> Department of Nursing II, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

<sup>4</sup> Matia Bermingham, Matia Fundazioa, Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain.

<sup>5</sup> Gait and Brain Lab, Parkwood Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.

<sup>6</sup> Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.

<sup>7</sup> Gait and Brain Lab, Parkwood Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Conference/Journal: Maturitas
Date published: 2022 Oct 1
Other:
 Volume ID: 164   ,  Pages: 15-22   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.06.006.   ,  Word Count: 270  
    Objective:

To compare the effects of a multicomponent exercise program and a dual-task exercise program on the number of falls (fall rate) and number of fallers (fall incidence) and on parameters associated with fall risk in older adults living in long-term nursing homes (LTNH).



Study design:

This is a secondary analysis of a single-blind randomized controlled trial involving 85 older adults in nine LTNHs (Gipuzkoa, Spain). Participants allocated to the multicomponent group underwent a twice-a-week 3-month individualized and progressive resistance and balance program. The dual-task group performed simultaneous cognitive training with the same multicomponent exercises.



Main outcomes:

Fall rate and incidence were analyzed using Poisson regression (adjusting for cognitive function and previous fall rate) and Kaplan-Meier analysis, respectively. Handgrip asymmetry, single- and dual-task TUG velocity and cost were assessed using two-way ANOVA for repeated measures and paired Student's t-tests.



Results:

The dual-task group showed a 3.8 times greater risk of falling than the multicomponent group during the intervention, and a 2.59 times greater risk during the 12-month follow-up. There were no between-group differences in fall incidence. There were between-group differences in handgrip strength asymmetry in favor of the multicomponent group. While only the multicomponent group improved on the TUG test, the dual-task group improved on dual-task cost.



Conclusions:

Compared with the dual-task program, the multicomponent exercise program showed more benefits in reducing falls and in parameters associated with fall risk in LTNH residents. Future studies are warranted to confirm our results and continue to explore physical and cognitive interventions to prevent falls in LTNHs. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000536268.



Keywords: Dual-task; Falls; Long-term nursing homes; Physical exercise.



PMID: 35763894 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2022.06.006