THE EVALUATION OF DUAL-TASK ACTIVITIES AND BALANCE IN OLDER ADULTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the dual-task activities and balance of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study was conducted between August 2020 and November 2020 and included older adults who lived in a house environment in Ankara, met the study criteria, volunteered to participate in the study, and were aged between 65- 80 years. The sociodemographic information of the older adults was recorded. The balance and dual-task performances of the individuals were assessed by the Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Dual-Task Questionnaire (DTQ), and their cognitive states were evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Test. The individuals were requested to perform the tests by transferring an object from one hand to the other as an additional motor task and by counting two by two as an additional cognitive task. RESULTS: The mean age of the individuals was 70.35±5.44 years. According to Spearman’s correlation analysis, a moderate-level correlation was identified between the DTQ and the Tinetti Balance and Mobility Scale and its subgroups, and a low-level correlation was observed between the DTQ and TUGMotor (p