@article{ref1,
title="Dual-task testing to predict falls in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review",
journal="Physiotherapy",
year="2015",
author="Muir-Hunter, S. W. and Wittwer, J. E.",
volume="102",
number="1",
pages="29-40",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment increases fall risk in older adults. Dual-task testing is an accepted way to assess the interaction between cognition and mobility; however, there is a lack of evidence-based recommendations for dual-task testing to evaluate fall risk in clinical practice. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between dual-task testing protocols and future fall risk, and to identify the specific dual-task test protocols associated with elevated risk. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Pubmed and EMBASE electronic databases were searched from January 1988 to September 2013. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent raters identified prospective cohort studies (duration of at least 1 year) of dual-task assessment in community-dwelling participants aged ≥60 years, with 'falls' as the primary outcome. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Methodological quality was scored independently by two raters using a published checklist of criteria for evaluating threats to the validity of observational studies. <br><br>RESULTS: Deterioration in gait during dual-task testing compared with single-task performance was associated with increased fall risk. Shortcomings within the literature significantly limit knowledge translation of dual-task gait protocols into clinical practice. LIMITATIONS: There is a paucity of prospective studies on the association of dual-task gait assessment with fall risk. <br><br>CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: Changes in gait under dual-task testing are associated with future fall risk, and this association is stronger than that for single-task conditions. Limitations in the available literature preclude development of detailed recommendations for dual-task gait testing procedures in clinical practice to identify and stratify fall risk in older adults.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0031-9406",
doi="10.1016/j.physio.2015.04.011",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.04.011"
}