Enhancing Postural Control in Older Adults by Increasing Somatosensory Contribution
University of Oklahoma
Summary
The investigators propose a 2-week intervention involving adults over 65 years old. Participants will undergo dynamic balance training on an movable platform (stabilometer) with either restricted or full vision. The primary objective is to facilitate sensory re-weighting, hypothesizing that restricted vision training will increase somatosensory input utilization for postural control. Pre- and post-training assessments will measure postural control during gait initiation under a dual-task condition. The investigators hypothesize that the restricted vision group will demonstrate: 1. Improved postural control, indicated by increased center of pressure displacement during gait initiation. 2. Improved ability to utilize somatosensory input during a balance task.
Description
Participants. All participants will sign written informed consent before their participation. The inclusion criteria are: 1) age 65 and above, 2) able to walk continuously for at least 10 min without assistive device, 2) have normal or corrected-to-normal vision. The exclusion criteria are: 1) neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor that significantly affect balance task and walking, 2) known peripheral neuropathy that influence sensation, 3) known vestibular dysfunction, 4) known cognitive impairments, 4) self-reported pain or musculoskelet…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 65–80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: 1. age 65 and above 2. able to walk continuously for at least 10 min without assistive device 3. have normal or corrected-to-normal vision. Exclusion Criteria: 1. neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor that significantly affect balance task and walking 2. known peripheral neuropathy that influence sensation 3. known vestibular dysfunction 4. known cognitive impairments 5. self-reported pain or musculoskeletal conditions that will significantly affect balance task and walking. 6. Drug use in the past 3 month. 7. At-ris…
Interventions
- Behavioralrestricted vision (no-V)
no-V group will perform the dynamic balance task with blind-fold. The 2 weeks dynamic balance training involves standing and maintaining balance on a stabilometer, which consists of a platform (1.3m long by 1.4m wide) connected to a single axis that allows bidirectional sway (Lafayette Instrument Co.; Fig. 2). The maximum angular deviation of the platform is 18°. A safety harness may be provided to prevent falls but does not provide support during the performance of the task. Participants are required to maintain balance with feet in a medio-lateral orientation while standing on the balance board. A potentiometer monitors the sway angle of the platform. An integrated timer measures time in balance, which is defined as when the platform angle is within ± 5° of horizontal. The participants will be encouraged to maintain the platform in horizontal for as long as possible within a 30 s trial. Participants assigned to no-V group will perform the task with blind-fold.
- Behavioralfull vision (full-V)
The participants will be performing the dynamic balance training with their full vision.
Location
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City, Oklahoma