Abstract: Objective: To explore the level and influencing factors of stride time variability under dual task walking among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 192 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes were selected. Data were collected by general information questionnaire, fear of falling assessment, Timed "Up and Go" Test, Five Times Sit to Stand Test and portable gait analyzer. Results: The stride time variability under dual task walking among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was 7.3%. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the dual task interference, velocity and fear of falling were influencing factors of stride time variability, explaining a total of 54.7% of the variance. Conclusion: The level of stride time variability under dual task walking among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes was relatively high. Guiding patients to exercise, especially dual task training, and relieving fear of falling were beneficial to reduce the level of stride time variability under dual task walking, which can improve patients' safety condition and quality of life.

Key words: diabetes mellitus, elderly patients, dual task, gait, stride time variability