Outcomes of a regional university-led healthy ageing program supporting everyday function, cognition and mobility in older adults: a non-experimental pre-post observational study

Healthy ageing is multidimensional, yet many community programs target a single domain and are seldom evaluated against the outcomes older people care about most. Cognitive-motor dual-task training suits everyday life, but most evaluations rely on standardised balance, gait or single-domain cognitive tests and rarely ask whether benefits reach everyday occupational performance, perceived cognition, or function at home. This study evaluated such a program in a regional setting, using a broad set of outcomes, oriented towards everyday functioning. A single-cohort, pre-test post-test design was used, reported following the TIDieR statement. Fifty-eight community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and over completed a 10-week, once-weekly program at a regional university clinic, delivered by allied health professionals and supervised students. Activities were individually graded, goal-directed, and dual-task oriented. The primary outcome was the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Secondary outcomes were the Patient-reported Evaluation of Cognitive State (PRECiS), Timed Up and Go, Six Minute Walk Test and Lawton’s Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Change was analysed using paired t-tests and Cohen’s d . Self-reported occupational performance and satisfaction both improved ( p < 0.001), with medium to large effects ( d = 0.59 and 0.85 respectively). Perceived cognitive difficulty in everyday life decreased by five points on the PRECiS ( p = 0.003; d = 0.40), and functional walking capacity increased by an average of 38 m ( p < 0.001; d = 0.67). Instrumental activities of daily living showed a small gain, while Timed Up and Go performance was unchanged. Significant and meaningful improvements were observed in occupational performance and satisfaction, mobility and perceived cognitive difficulties. Participation in a 10-week individually tailored, goal-directed dual-task program was associated with improved self-reported performance and satisfaction in meaningful activities, less everyday cognitive difficulty, and greater walking capacity. Captured through everyday-oriented outcomes rather than impairment alone, these gains add a perspective largely missing from the dual-task literature, and the program proved feasible in rural and regional settings. These findings provide a foundation for future clinical trials. Not applicable.