The Effects of Acute Dual-Task Balance and Cognitive Training on Cognitive Performance

Abstract

As cognitive demands continue to rise both in professional contexts and everyday life, there is growing interest in strategies to improve and maintain mental functioning. Physical activity has emerged as one such strategy, with numerous studies showing its positive effects on cognition [1]. These benefits appear to be particularly pronounced when physical activity is combined with cognitive challenges. This so-called dual-task training, which combines physical and cognitive training, has been shown to produce synergistic effects on cognition, consequently exhibiting larger effects on cognitive enhancement than either cognitive or physical training alone [2]. There is evidence that balance training improves cognitive functions of healthy adults, especially memory and spatial cognition [3]. However, it remains unclear whether dual-task training, specifically combining balance training with cognitive tasks, offers greater cognitive enhancing effects than individual training alone. While elements of balance training have been occasionally incorporated in dual-task protocols, especially with older adults, they have not been directly compared with active controls or tested on healthy adults.

The aim of this study is to compare the cognitive enhancing effects of acute dual-task training, balance training, and cognitive training on executive and spatial cognitive function in healthy adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: dual-task, balance, or cognitive training. Each group will undergo a single training session, lasting 20 minutes. Participants will perform either balance exercises, cognitive tasks, or both simultaneously.

Balance training will consist of four 5-minute balance exercises, designed to induce reactive postural adjustments, forcing participants to re-stabilize (e.g., standing on an unstable surface). Cognitive training will also include four 5-minute cognitive tasks, mostly affecting executive functions (e.g., working memory task in the form of number memorization). Cognitive performance will be assessed with 3 cognitive tasks that will address performance on executive functions (i.e. computerized N-back task and Flanker test with arrows) and spatial cognition (i.e. Mental rotation task). Each group will complete the cognitive tasks before and after training to examine potential differences in cognitive performance between conditions. It is hypothesized that participants in the dual-task training group will demonstrate greater performance in executive function and spatial cognition compared to those participants that will undergo only balance or cognitive training.

References

[1] A. Carvalho, I. M. Rea, T. Parimon, and B. Cusack, “Physical activity and cognitive function in individuals over 60 years of age: a systematic review,” Clinical Interventions in Aging, vol. 9, no. 2014, p. 661, Apr. 2014. doi: 10.2147/cia.s55520.

[2] L. Tait, R. L. Duckham, C. M. Milte, L. C. Main, and R. M. Daly, “Influence of Sequential vs. Simultaneous Dual-Task Exercise Training on Cognitive Function in Older Adults,” Front. Aging Neurosci., vol. 9, Nov. 2017. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00368.

[3] A.-K. Rogge et al., “Balance training improves memory and spatial cognition in healthy adults,” Sci Rep, vol. 7, no. 1, p. 5661, Jul. 2017. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06071-9.