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Final Congress Guide

Functioning and Disability

600 Section - The Impact of Motor-Cognitive Dual-Task Training on Gait Performance and Balance Confidence Post-Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial Focusing on Gait Automation

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM PT

    Presenting Author/Autor expositor(s)

  • JF

    Jing Fan, MS

    Clinician
    Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University
    Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

    • Co-Author/Coautor(s)

  • wq

    wenting qin, MD

    Rehabilitation physician
    Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)
    shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

  • LW

    Liwen Wang, MD

    Clinician
    Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), School of Medicine, Tongji University
    Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

  • DH

    Dan Huang, PhD

    Jonior physician
    Department of Neurology and Neurological Rehabilitation, Shanghai Disabled Persons’ Federation Key Laboratory of Intelligent Rehabilitation Assistive Devices and Technologies, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Tongji University School of Medicine
    Shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

    • Corresponding Author/Autor a quien dirigir la corr(s)

  • LL

    Lingyu Liu, MD

    chief physician
    Shanghai YangZhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)，School of Medicine，Tongji University
    shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

  • LJ

    Lingjing Jin, PhD

    president
    Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center)
    shanghai, Shanghai, China (People's Republic)

Objectives : While dual-task training is known to improve gait and balance post-stroke, the specific dimensions of improvement and underlying mechanisms remain less explored. This study aimed to investigate how motor-cognitive dual-task training enhances walking performance and confidence under cognitive interference, potentially by altering gait variability to promote automation.

Design: Fifty eligible chronic stroke patients (onset >3 months, able to walk ≥10m independently) were randomized into a dual-task group (DTG, n=25) or a conventional training group (CTG, n=25) for a 4-week intervention (5 sessions/week). The CTG received conventional physical therapy, including balance, transfer, and gait training. The DTG received conventional therapy plus specific motor-cognitive dual-task training using the Pro-kin balance system. Assessments pre- and post-intervention included the Berg Balance Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Limb, Timed Up and Go test (TUG), dual-task TUG, and 3D gait analysis. Primary outcomes were the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, dual-task TUG performance, and gait variability.

Results: After the intervention, both groups showed comparable improvement in the single-task TUG. However, the DTG demonstrated significant superiority in key measures: higher ABC scale scores, better performance on the dual-task TUG, and significantly reduced gait variability (in step length and stance phase time), indicating a more resilient and stable gait under cognitive distraction.

Conclusion: Dual-task training using the Pro-kin system is superior to conventional training in enhancing balance confidence and dual-task walking capacity post-stroke. The mechanism is likely associated with reduced gait variability and the promotion of gait automation. Dual-task training represents an effective strategy for optimizing functional community ambulation.