Evidence to Support Improved Outcomes for Older Adults From Dual-Task Training Through Interprofessional Collaboration

Abstract

Purpose By implementing a plan of care that can simulate dual-task activities carried out in daily life, is it possible to reduce or even avoid functional decline due to aging? Research has illustrated that cognition and executive functioning largely determines how independent someone can be as well as many aspects of their quality of life. Studies have shown that, as people age, cognition and executive functioning predicts one's chance of falling, ability to participate in meaningful life activities, and other aspects of function. One area of promise for interprofessional collaboration (between speech-language pathology, physical therapy, and occupational therapy) is that of dual-tasking to simultaneously target improved outcomes for older adults. Method A state-of-the-art review was conducted for research published on dual-task interventions for older adults from November 2012 through November 2017. Twelve research articles were reviewed and revealed evidence-based dual-task interventions for older adults that were positive for supporting interprofessional collaborative dual-task training for improved clinical outcomes. Results and Conclusion This research examined if dual-task training was recommended for an aging client population. The findings reinforced the need for additional research and adaptation of evidence-based dual-task training in therapy interventions.