Table 4 Included studies with fallers

Auvinet et al., 2017 [74]

Gait disorders in the elderly and dual task gait analysis

Prospec-tive cohort study

1. To assess the value of gait instability as a clinical symptom,

2. To quantify gait disorders by means of the DTC in order to differentiate between peripheral pathologies and central nervous system pathologies,

3. To identify motor phenotypes according to the DTC for stride frequency and gait regularity

4. To identify correlations between these motor phenotypes and conventional brain MRI findings.

Overall (n = 103), Gait instability (n = 46), Recurrent falls (N = 30), Memory impairment (n = 19), Cautious Gait (n = 8)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 12 months

Overall (76 ± 7), Gait instability (77 ± 8), Recurrent falls (77 ± 8), Memory impairment (76 ± 5), Cautious Gait (81 ± 5)

Arithmetic DT:

Walking + counting aloud backwards from 50 subtracting serial 1 s (one by one)

SR: auditory-verbal

Bauer et al., 2010 [75]

First Results of Evaluation of a Falls Clinic

Cross-sectional study

To assess risk factors for falls in community dwelling older people and to recommend targeted interventions

Fallers (n = 42)

Non-fallers (n = 19)

Previous falls in the last 12 months were assessed by questionnaire

Fallers (75.95)

Non-fallers (75.35)

No SD reported

Arithmetic DT:

1. Walking+ counting backwards from 50 subtracting serial 1 s (one by one)

2. walking + subtracting serial 3 s from 100

Verbal fluency task:

Walking + naming animals

SR: auditory verbal

Beauchet et al., 2008 [19]

Recurrent falls and dual task-related decrease in walking speed: is there a relationship?

Prospec-tive cohort study

To determine whether DT–related changes in walking speed were associated with recurrent falls in frail older people

Fallers (n = 37) vs Non-Fallers (n = 156) vs Recurrent fallers (n = 20)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 12 months

Fallers (84.7 ± 5.1) vs Non-Fallers (83.9 ± 5.5) vs. Recurrent fallers (87.2 ± 5.7)

Arithmetic DT:

Walking + subtracting serial 1 s (one by one) from 50

SR: auditory verbal

Bootsma-van der Wiel et al., 2003 [76]

Walking and talking as predictors of falls in the general population

Prospective population-based follow-up study

To compare the added value of DT in predicting falling in the general population of oldest old with that of an easy-to-administer ST

None (n = 22), One (n = 87), and Recurrent (n = 71)

Previous falls in the last 12 months and the last month assessed by questionnaire

Leiden 85-plus Study (no precise information)

Verbal fluency task:

Walking + reciting names of animals or professions during a 30-s period

SR: auditory verbal

Freire Junior et al., 2017 [21]

The effects of a simultaneous cognitive or motor task on the kinematics of walking in older fallers and non-fallers

Cohort study

Comparing kinematics of ST gait, cognitive DT gait, and motor DT gait in both older fallers and non-fallers

No Falls (n = 35) vs. One fall (n = 27)

Previous falls in the last 6 months and the last month assessed by questionnaire

No Falls (67.97 ± 4.82) vs One fall (67.96 ± 5.7)

1. Verbal fluency task:

Walking + naming animals

SR: auditory verbal

2. Secondary motor task:

Walking + transferring a coin from one pocket to another

SR: auditory-manual

Howcroft et al., 2016 [77]

Analysis of dual-task elderly gait in fallers and non-fallers using wearable sensors

Prospective population-based follow-up study

Use wearable sensors to detect gait differences between:

(1) fallers and non-fallers for ST walking,

(2) between fallers and non-fallers for DT walking,

(3) ST and DT walking for fallers, and

(4) ST and DT walking for non-fallers.

Fallers (n = 24), Non-Fallers (n = 76)

Previous falls in the last 6 months and the last month assessed by questionnaire

Fallers (76.3 ± 7,0),

Non-Fallers (75,2 ± 6,6)

Verbal fluency task:

Walking + naming words starting with A, F or S)

SR: auditory verbal

Johansson et al., 2016 [78]

Greater Fall Risk in Elderly Women Than in Men Is Associated With Increased Gait Variability During Multitasking

Prospective observational study

1. investigate variability in gait patterns among men and women aged 70 years during progressively challenging gait conditions.

2. investigate associations of gender with gait patterns and the risk of incident falls.

Non-Fallers (1202), Fallers (148)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last six and 12 months

Fallers (70), Non. Fallers (70),

Inclusion criteria: age of exactly 70 years at the time of testing.

Arithmetic task:

Walking + subtracting 1 s from the number 100

SR: auditory verbal

Mirelman et al., 2012 [79]

Executive function and falls in older adults

Cohort study (Follow Up)

(1) Evaluate if reduced Executive Function is a risk factor for future falls,

(2) assess whether ST and DT walking abilities, an alternative window into EF, were associated with fall risk.

256

Participant recorded there falls in a falls calendar

76.4 ± 4.5

Arithmetic task

Walking + subtracting 3 s from a predefined 3 digit number

SR: auditory verbal

Muhaidat et al., 2013 [20]

Exploring gait-related dual task tests in community-dwelling fallers and non-faller

Pilot study

Assess differences in DT performance between the two groups on both primary and secondary tasks to help narrow down the potential choices of tasks, using simple clinical outcome measures that only require the use of a stopwatch, for future research.

Fallers (n = 12), Non-Fallers (n = 15)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 12 months

Fallers (75.5 (8.5 IQR),

Non-Fallers 72 (4 IQR)

Arithmetic tasks:

1. Walking + subtracting 3 s

2. Walking + subtracting 7 s

Verbal fluency tasks:

3. Walking + Generating words e starting with the letter I, N, or O

4. Walking + Generating animal names

Visual spatial task:

5. Walking + clock task

SR 1.-5.: auditory verbal

Secondary motor task:

6. Walking + carrying a cup

SR: auditory- manual

Discrimination task:

7. Walking + Stroop (high/ low; different pitches)

SR: auditory verbal

Nordin et al., 2010 [80]

Changes in step-width during dual-task walking predicts falls

Cohort study (Follow Up)

Evaluate whether gait pattern changes between single- and DT conditions were associated with risk of falling in older people

Fallers (n = 120), Non-Fallers (n = 110)

Participant recorded there falls in a falls dairy

Non-Fallers (78)

Fallers (80)

No SD available

1. Secondary motor task:

Walking + carrying a cup on a tray)

SR: auditory-manual

2. Verbal fluency task:

Walking + naming animals

3. Arithmetic task:

Walking + subtracting 3 s from 50

SR 2. +  3.: auditory verbal

Reelick et al., 2011 [81]

Increased intra-individual variability in stride length and reaction time in recurrent older fallers

Cross-sectional study

To compare mean performance measures as well as intra-individual variability measures of stride length and reaction time in vulnerable recurrent and non-recurrent older fallers.

Non- fallers (n = 38), Recurrent fallers (n = 22)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 6 months

Non-recurrent Fallers (75.8 ± 7.2), recurrent Fallers (75.7 ± 5.6)

1. Arithmetic task

Walking + subtracting 7 from 100

2. Verbal fluency task:

Walking + naming words starting with a certain letter

SR: auditory verbal

Springer et al., 2006 [82]

Dual-tasking effects on gait variability: The role of aging, falls, and executive function

Cross-sectional study

Test if the DT effect on gait variability is larger

1) in healthy older people vs healthy young people;

2) in idiopathic older fallers vs healthy older people;

3) and if DT has effects on gait variability are correlated with executive function

YA (n = 19), Non- fallers (n = 24), Fallers (n = 17)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 6 months

YA (29,4 ± 4,4),

Non-Fallers (71.0 ± 5.9),

Fallers (76.1 ± 4.8)

1. Listening memory task

Walking + listening to a text; answering questions afterwards

SR: auditory verbal

2. Arithmetic task

Walking + subtracting 7 from 500

SR: auditory verbal

Toulotte et al., 2006a [83]

Effects of training and detraining on the static and dynamic balance in elderly fallers and non-fallers

Pilot study

Evaluate the effects of training on static and dynamic balance in ST and DT conditions to analyze the effects of detraining on static and dynamic balance in healthy older fallers and non-fallers.

Fallers (n = 8), Non-Fallers (n = 8)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 24 months

Fallers (71.1 ± 5.0), Non-Fallers (68.4 ± 4.5)

Secondary motor task:

Walking + carrying a glass

SR: auditory-manual

Toulotte et al., 2006b [84]

Identification of healthy elderly fallers and non-fallers by gait analysis under dual-task conditions

Case comp-arison study

Compare healthy older fallers and non-fallers to identify balance disorders associated with falling under ST and DT conditions

Fallers (n = 21), Non-Fallers (n = 19)

Falls assessment of previous falls in the last 24 months

Fallers (70.43 ± 6.43), Non-Fallers (67.05 ± 4.81)

Secondary motor task:

Walking + carrying a glass

SR: auditory-manual

Verghese et al., 2017 [85]

Brain activation in high-functioning older adults and falls

Prospective cohort study

To determine whether brain activity over the prefrontal cortex measured in real time during walking predicts falls in high-functioning older people

166

71 fallers

95 non-fallers

Falls were prospectively ascertained over a 50-month period

74.95 ± 6.07

Letter memory task:

Walking + reciting alternate letters

SR: auditory-manual

Yamada et al., 2011 [86]

The reliability and preliminary validity of game-based fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults

Randomized controlled trial

Examine whether the Nintendo Wii Fit program could be used for fall risk assessment in healthy, community-dwelling older people

Faller (n = 16), Non-Fallers (n = 28)

Previous falls in the last 12 months assessed by question-naire

Fallers (84.8 ± 10.1),

Non-Fallers (80.2 ± 6.4)

Arithmetic task:

Walking + counting backwards from 50

SR: auditory-manual

Asai et al. 2014 [87]

Effects of dual-tasking on control of trunk movement during gait: respective effect of manual- and cognitive-task

Cross-sectional study

1. to assess the effects of a cognitive task and a manual task on trunk movements during gait.

2. to examine the effect of FoF on trunk movement in both dual-task walking conditions: cognitive task and manual-task gaits.

Overall (n = 117), nFoF (n = 85), FoF (n = 32)

Previous falls in the last 12 months assessed by questionnaire

FOF was assessed by one question

Overall (73.7 ± 4.0), nFoF (73.7 ± 4.0), FoF (74.5 ± 4.0)

1. Arithmetic task:

Walking + subtracting 1 s from 100

SR: auditory-manual

2. Secondary motor task:

Walking + motor task carrying a ball on a tray

SR: auditory-manual

Donoghue et al., 2013 [88]

Effects of fear of falling and activity restriction on normal and dual task walking in community dwelling older adults

Prospective cohort study

1. to examine the relationship between FOF, activity restriction and gait characteristics in normal and dual task walking and

2. to determine if these relationships persist after adjusting for potentially underlying factors

No FOF (n = 961), FOF-NAR (n = 250), FOF-AR (n = 96)

FOF was assessed by one question

No FOF (72.3 ± 5.6), FOF-NAR (74.9 ± 5.8), FOF-AR (73.9 ± 5.6)

Verbal memory task:

Walking + recite alternate letters of the alphabet (A-C-E, etc.)

SR: auditory-manual

Reelick et al., 2009 [89]

The influence of fear of falling on gait and balance in older people

Cross-sectional study

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between FoF and gait and balance in older people during walking with and without dual-tasking.

FoF (n = 29) vs NFOF (n = 65)

FOF was assessed by the ABC-NL scale

FOF (80.6 ± 4.2) vs. NFOF (80.5 ± 3.7)

Arithmetic task:

Walking + subtracting 7 s from 100

SR: auditory-manual

Wollesen et al., 2017 [90]

Does dual task training improve walking performance of older adults with concern of falling?

Single blind randomized controlled trial

The primary aim of this study was to compare the effects of a DT training integrating task managing strategies for independent living older people with and without concern about falling to a non-training control group on walking performance under ST and DT conditions.

Intervention with FES-I < 20 (n = 26) vs Intervention with FES-I > 20 (n = 30) vs Control group with FES-I < 20 (n = 19) vs Control group with FES-I (n = 20)

Intervention with FES-I < 20 (72.2 ± 4.6) vs

Intervention with FES-I > 20 (69.8 ± 5.7) vs

Control group with FES-I < 20 (72.9 ± 4.4) vs

Control group with FES-I (72.7 ± 5.3)

Discrimination task:

Walking + Stroop task (colors)

SR: visual-verbal