Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopaminergic system, causing motor symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremors, as well as cognitive impairments and balance disturbances. Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of a dual-task training program on executive functions and fall prevention in individuals with PD. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with non-random sampling. The initial sample consisted of 21 individuals with Parkinson's disease in Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III, all with independent gait. Participants with moderate or severe cognitive impairment (MoCA), disabling musculoskeletal conditions, or other neurological disorders were excluded. A 12-week sensorimotor training program was implemented, consisting of 60-minute sessions held once per week. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted to measure changes in executive functions and fall risk. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), frontal executive function with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and functional mobility and fall risk using the Tinetti scale and the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test.Data were organized in Excel spreadsheets and analyzed using Python. The study was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the University de Los Lagos (No. 045/2024, 08/12/2024). Results: Of the 21 initial participants, 17 completed the 12-week sensorimotor program. Significant improvements were observed in gait items, increasing from 10 to 11 points (SD=2) (P=.01), and in the total Tinetti score, which increased from 25 to 27 (P=.02). No significant changes were found in global cognitive function (MoCA) Pre: 18.82 (SD=4.23) and Post: 19.53 (SD=4.19) nor in specific executive functions — Pre: 13.41 (SD=3.13) and Post: 12.71 (SD=2.84) (P=.33). Conclusions: No significant differences were observed between pre- and post-intervention measurements in MoCA, FAB, the balance subscale of the Tinetti test, or the TUG. However, dual-task training showed potential for improving gait parameters in individuals with PD. Its implementation in community settings could expand access to effective and sustainable rehabilitation interventions. © 2025 Sociedad Española de Enfermería Neurológica. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.