Effect of Tai Chi Training on Dual‐Tasking Performance That Involves Stepping Down among Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Study

Descending stairs demands attention and neuromuscular control, especially with dual‐tasking. Studies have demonstrated that stroke often degrades a survivor’s ability to descend stairs. Tai Chi has been shown to improve dual‐tasking performance of healthy older adults, but no such study has been conducted in stroke survivors. This study investigated the effect of Tai Chi training on dual‐tasking performance that involved stepping down and compared it with that of conventional exercise among stroke survivors. Subjects were randomized into Tai Chi (n = 9), conventional exercise (n = 8), and control (n = 9) groups. Those in the former two groups received 12‐week training. Assessments included auditory Stroop test, stepping down test, and dual‐tasking test involving both simultaneously. They were evaluated before training (time‐1), after training (time‐2), and one month after training (time‐3). Tai Chi group showed significant improvement in the auditory Stroop test from time‐1 to time‐3 and the performance was significantly better than that of the conventional exercise group in time‐3. No significant effect was found in the stepping down task or dual‐tasking in the control group. These results suggest a beneficial effect of Tai Chi training on cognition among stroke survivors without compromising physical task performance in dual‐tasking. The effect was better than the conventional exercise group. Nevertheless, further research with a larger sample is warranted.