Speakers - 2026

Title: Dual task training for Enhancing Attention and Mobility in Stroke Rehabilitation

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability associated with impairments in attention, cognition, balance, and mobility. Conventional physiotherapy primarily addresses motor deficits, often neglecting co-existing cognitive impairments. Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Training (CMDT) the simultaneous execution of cognitive and motor activities has emerged as an effective neurorehabilitation paradigm. With the rapid proliferation of smartphones, mobile application–based rehabilitation offers an accessible, engaging, and cost-effective modality. CogniMove was developed as a structured CMDT digital application to enhance neuroplasticity, functional recovery, and independence in stroke survivors.

Aim: To design and implement CogniMove, a Cognitive-Motor Dual Task Training digital application, and to evaluate its efficacy in improving attention, mobility, and functional independence in individuals with post-stroke impairment.

Methods: An experimental, single-group, pre-post pilot study was conducted on 10 stroke patients (mean age 58.50 ± 8.30 years) selected by purposive sampling from a tertiary rehabilitation centre. Participants underwent a six-week, 40-minute-per-session (five days per week) CMDT intervention via the CogniMove application. Outcome measures included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10-Metre Walk Test (10MWT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment — Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Fugl-Meyer Assessment — Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Paired t-tests were used for pre-post comparisons; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: All outcome measures demonstrated highly statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) with large effect sizes. MoCA improved from 21.0 ± 1.8 to 25.1 ± 1.9 (Cohen’s d = 1.64, ↑19.5%), MMSE from 20.1 ± 1.8 to 24.2 ± 1.9 (d = 1.53), TUG reduced from 19.8 ± 2.4 to 14.0 ± 1.8 seconds (d = 1.47, ↑29.3%), BBS improved from 32.6 ± 3.9 to 45.1 ± 3.8 (d = 1.71, ↑38.3%), 10MWT from 25.8 ± 3.0 to 17.5 ± 2.3 seconds (d = 1.40, ↑31.9%), FMA-UE from 29.5 ± 5.0 to 39.9 ± 5.5 (d = 1.82, ↑35.3%), FMA-LE from 14.4 ± 2.5 to 22.0 ± 3.1 (d = 1.68, ↑52.8%), and MBI from 62.9 ± 6.9 to 78.6 ± 6.1 (d = 1.55, ↑25.0%).

Conclusion: CogniMove is a feasible and effective technology-assisted rehabilitation tool for stroke survivors. A six-week structured CMDT programme delivered via the application produced significant improvements across cognitive, motor, balance, gait, and functional independence domains, with large effect sizes across all measures. The application holds clinical promise as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy in both inpatient and home-based neurorehabilitation settings.