Single and Dual Task Balance Exercises in Substance Use Disorders

The Effects of Single and Dual Task Balance Exercises in Substance Use Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Study

Changes in the brain reward pathway and brain tissue in alcohol and substance addiction cause balance disorders, cognitive problems, depression, and substance cravings in individuals. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of balance exercises and dual task balance exercises in individuals with alcohol or substance addiction who are receiving treatment.

This randomized controlled trial was conduces in Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Center, Turkey. Individuals who used substances for more than 1 year, between the ages of 18-50 and with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 24 and above were included in the study. Individuals with orthopedic, neurological or systemic disease, problem with vision and hearing, a neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorder and active infection were excluded from the study. In addition, individuals under the effect of substances that negatively affect their cognitive functions were not included in the study. Before starting the study, the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to determine that the individuals were at a cognitive level to complete the tests to be applied. The demographic characteristics of the individuals were saved. The Stroop Test-Çapa Form was used to evaluate executive functions. Y Balance Test, Time Up Go Test and 10 meter walk test were used to evaluate balance. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The first group received only balance exercise and the second group received balance exercise with motor and cognitive dual tasks.

Patients who the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were randomly allocates to Group 1 [Balance Exercises(BE)] and Group 2 [BE+Dual Tasks(DT)]

Balance exercises; static standing on flat ground for 30 seconds, standing in tandem position for 30 seconds, standing on one foot for 30 seconds, standing on tiptoe for 30 seconds, looking left and right with one foot in the air, backward rotation with one foot in the air, rotation, squatting slightly in knee flexion with one foot in the air, squatting slightly in knee extension with one foot in the air, going on tiptoe and turning with the heel, multi-directional stretches on the balance board Each exercise will be performed with 10 repetitions for both lower extremities.

Cognitive and motor secondary tasks were given along with balance exercises. Cognitive tasks: color discrimination, counting city names, counting fruit and vegetable names, saying 3 numbers between 50-100, talking on a mobile phone, subtracting 3 and 7 in series, saying male names, counting backwards out loud, asking for a series of addition and subtraction operations. Motor tasks: carrying a glass of water, carrying a glass on a tray, carrying an object, pressing a button, transferring money from hand to hand, rhythmic clapping

Inclusion Criteria: Being literate, Having a diagnosis of alcohol and substance use disorder according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5), More than 1 year of substance abuse, Receiving treatment within the scope of the fight against addiction, Not participating in a regular exercise program in the last six months. Exclusion Criteria: Scoring 23 and below on the Mini Mental Test, Having a neurodevelopmental or neurocognitive disorder, Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol in a way that negatively affects the person's -cognitive functions, Having a psychiatric disorder that requires treatment other than opiate and tobacco use disorder according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, Cognitive impairment due to mental retardation, drug/substance abuse or other medical condition that may cause difficulty in understanding the study instructions, Being diagnosed with any orthopedic, neurological and systemic disease, Having an active infection, Having problems with vision and hearing.

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

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