Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 May 16:8:e67267.
doi: 10.2196/67267.

Online Group-Based Dual-Task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study

Pui Hing Chau  1 , Denise Shuk Ting Cheung  1 , Jojo Yan Yan Kwok  1 , Wai Chi Chan  2 , Doris Sau Fung Yu  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Online Group-Based Dual-Task Training to Improve Cognitive Function of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Feasibility Study

Pui Hing Chau et al. JMIR Aging. .

Abstract

Background: Cognitive training for older adults is crucial before cognitive impairment emerges. During periods of social distancing like the COVID-19 pandemic, cognitive stimuli are lacking. Online dual-task training is proposed as a solution to address these needs.

Objective: We aimed to explore the feasibility, acceptance, and potential effects of online group-based dual-task training as an intervention for enhancing cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A randomized controlled feasibility study was conducted with 76 participants in Hong Kong, randomly assigned to the intervention and attention control groups in a ratio of 2:1 (n=50, 66% and n=26, 34%, respectively). The intervention group underwent 60-minute online dual-task training sessions twice a week for 12 weeks, incorporating cognitive components (upper limb and finger movement, arithmetic operation, and verbal fluency) and physical components (chair-based exercises) developed through a co-design approach. The attention control group received online health talks. Outcomes related to feasibility and acceptance included class attendance and self-reported satisfaction. Main outcomes related to potential effects included the Memory Inventory in Chinese and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5 Minutes (Hong Kong Version) at baseline, 6 weeks (midintervention), 12 weeks (postintervention) and 18 weeks (follow-up). Descriptive statistics and linear mixed effects models were used. Effect size was described with Cohen d. Qualitative feedback was collected from 12 informants and analyzed by thematic analysis.

Results: About 72% (36/50) of the participants in the intervention group and 62% (16/26) in the control group attended over 75% of the classes. In total, 44 (88%) participants from the intervention group provided acceptance feedback; 82% (36/44) were satisfied and 84% (37/44) would recommend the training to others. Improvement in the Memory Inventory in Chinese score in the intervention group was observed at midintervention, postintervention, and follow-up, with a medium-to-large effect size (d=0.65, 0.43 and 0.85, respectively). Adjusting for baseline values, the between-group differences in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5 Minutes (Hong Kong Version) score attained a small-to-medium effect size at midintervention (d=0.34) and postintervention (d=0.23). Qualitative feedback highlighted the timesaving and convenient aspects of online dual-task training, with participants finding the sessions challenging and enjoyable, and reporting benefits across cognitive, physical, and psychosocial domains. However, a preference for traditional in-person training was noted among the older adults despite the advantages of online training.

Conclusions: Online dual-task training is a feasible intervention accepted by the older adults, with potential benefits in cognitive abilities. Online training may complement in-person sessions. Further investigation in a full-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted to comprehensively explore its effects and address areas for improvement.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05573646; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05573646.

Keywords: Hong Kong; co-design; cognitive training; dual-task; older adults; online.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: PHC is an Associate Editor for JMIR Aging.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual framework.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Woodard JL, Seidenberg M, Nielson KA, Smith JC, Antuono P, Durgerian S, Guidotti L, Zhang Q, Butts A, Hantke N, Lancaster M, Rao SM. Prediction of cognitive decline in healthy older adults using fMRI. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;21(3):871–85. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2010-091693. https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/20634590 M27677251202372G - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Salthouse T. Consequences of age-related cognitive declines. Annu Rev Psychol. 2012;63:201–26. doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100328. https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/21740223 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Comijs HC, Dik MG, Aartsen MJ, Deeg DJ, Jonker C. The impact of change in cognitive functioning and cognitive decline on disability, well-being, and the use of healthcare services in older persons. Results of Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2005;19(5-6):316–23. doi: 10.1159/000084557.84557 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Li KZ, Lindenberger U, Freund AM, Baltes PB. Walking while memorizing: age-related differences in compensatory behavior. Psychol Sci. 2001 May;12(3):230–7. doi: 10.1111/1467-9280.00341. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pereira Oliva HN, Mansur Machado FS, Rodrigues VD, Leão LL, Monteiro-Júnior RS. The effect of dual-task training on cognition of people with different clinical conditions: an overview of systematic reviews. IBRO Rep. 2020 Dec;9:24–31. doi: 10.1016/j.ibror.2020.06.005. https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2451-8301(20)30020-0 S2451-8301(20)30020-0 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data