Efficacy of Dual‐Task Training in Patients with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta‐Analysis

BACKGROUND: Dual‐task training (DTT) involves simultaneously motor and cognitive exercises. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of DTT, in comparison to other interventions [single‐task training (STT) and usual care (UC)], on gait and balance parameters, motor impairments, activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) immediately post‐intervention and at 3, 6, and 12 months after therapy. METHODS: A meta‐analysis was performed following PRISMA Guidelines through searching in PubMed, SCOPUS, WOS, CINAHL, SciELO and PEDro up to September 2022. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare the effect of DTT versus STT and UC on gait (speed, step and stride length, cadence and steps per day), balance (functional and dynamic balance), motor impairments, ADLs and QoL. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. The pooled effect was calculated through Cohen's Standardized Mean Difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: Seventeen RCTs with 826 participants and a mean PEDro score of 6.59 ± 1 points were included. In comparison to STT and UC, DTT is effective in improving walking speed (SMD 0.42, 95%CI 0.23–0.6), stride length (SMD 0.69, 95%CI 0.23–1.15), cadence (SMD 0.41, 95%CI 0.19–0.63), functional balance (SMD 1.15, 95%CI 0.92–1.4), dynamic balance (SMD −0.5, 95%CI −0.81 to −0.18) and motor impairments (SMD −0.86, 95%CI −1.25 to −0.47). No adverse effects related to DTT were reported. CONCLUSIONS: DTT is an effective and safe therapy for improving gait, balance and motor impairments in patients with PD.