Effect of dual task exercise to develop body balance, movement co-ordination and walking speed among post cervical injury clients

Abstract

To determine the effect of level of body balance, movement coordination and walking speed among patients with a cervical injury. A true experimental design (pre-test and post-test control group) was set up in the physiotherapy unit of Regional Spinal Injury Centre (RSIC), Cuttack, Odisha. A total of 40 post cervical injury patients were selected who were undergoing single task exercises in the setting. Patients were divided randomly with 20 in experimental and 20 in the control group. The experimental group performed dual-task exercises (for hands and legs) for 6 days a week, continuing for 4 weeks. Body balance was measured using ‘berg balance scale’, movement coordination and walking speed assessed with ‘motor assessment scale’. There was a significant improvement in the scores of body balance and movement coordination among the experimental group. The control group showed no significant difference between the pre and post-test scores. There was no significant change in the pre and post-intervention scores of movement coordination and walking speed among the experimental and control group except in body balance. Dual-task exercises were helpful in developing the body balance, movement coordination and walking speed among post cervical injury patients.