Home-Based Dual-Task Balance Training for Parkinson’s Disease: A Feasibility Study of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: Dual-task training, incorporating both motor-motor and/or motor-cognitive elements, is recognized as a safe and effective strategy for enhancing balance in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, limited research has explored the implementation of dual-task training within a home-based context or superiority of task types. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of two novel, unsupervised home-based programmes; each adopting a comparable procedure yet with a focus on motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task training.
Methods: Six participants with mild to moderate stage Parkinson’s disease were
randomized to group (M-DTT/C-DTT). Each engaged in 30-minute training sessions three times per week over six weeks, accompanied by a non-professional ‘training buddy’. Attendance, adherence, and safety monitoring informed feasibility analysis, alongside post-intervention interviews. Balance outcomes were measured using the MiniBESTest and body sway analysis at baseline and post-intervention.
Results: Overall trial design including intervention and assessment approaches were safe and generally well-received, with high attendance and adherence rates, yet key lessons were learnt: Both programmes could be further improved with diversifying secondary tasks, redesigning task combinations and improving the technical aspects of the training movies.
Conclusion: Home-based motor-motor and motor-cognitive dual-task training
interventions undertaken without therapists’ supervision can be an acceptable and inclusive approach for balance rehabilitation for people with Parkinson’s disease. Lessons learnt will inform intervention re-design ahead of a randomized controlled trial of effectiveness and superiority testing of these approaches.