The effect of performing a dual-task on postural control and selective attention of older adults when stepping backward.

The study compared young and older adults at one time, so it cannot show that aging caused the differences. Most young participants were university students, which limits how well the cognitive results apply to other adults. Only one auditory tone task was used, so different cognitive demands may have produced different effects. The participants were independent, could walk unaided, and did not have neurological disease, hearing impairment, or cognitive impairment, so the findings may not apply to patients with these problems. The study did not collect muscle activity data, so it cannot say how the older adults controlled their balance. The authors note that more data are needed before a cut-off point can identify older adults at greater fall risk.

Do not conclude that adding a cognitive task while stepping backward causes older adults to lose balance. The sway measures did not show a significant single versus dual task change, and the study compared groups at one time rather than testing an intervention.