Why does older adults'' balance become less stable when walking and performing a secondary task? Examination of attentional switching abilities

• Main Authors: Hawkes T.D., Siu K.-C., Silsupadol P., Woollacott M.H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-80053359691&partnerID=40&md5=af01af4ed76ff80d9e160710acc44ddb; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/790
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Previous research using dual-task paradigms indicates balance-impaired older adults (BIOAs) are less able to flexibly shift attentional focus between a cognitive and motor task than healthy older adults (HOA). Shifting attention is a component of executive function. Task switch tests assess executive attention function. This multivariate study asked if BIOAs demonstrate greater task switching deficits than HOAs. A group of 39 HOA (65-80 years) and BIOA (65-87 years) subjects performed a visuo-spatial task switch. A sub-group of subjects performed a dual-task obstacle avoidance paradigm. All participants completed the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG). We assessed differences by group for: (1) visuo-spatial task switch reaction times (switch/no-switch), and performance on the BBS and TUG. Our balance groups differed significantly on BBS score (p < .001) and switch reaction time (p = .032), but not the TUG. This confirmed our hypothesis that neuromuscular and executive attention function differs between these two groups. For our BIOA sub-group, gait velocity correlated negatively with performance on the switch condition (p = .036). This suggests that BIOA efficiency of attentional allocation in dual task settings should be further explored. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.