Aging effects of haptic input on postural control under a dual-task paradigm

• Published in: Experimental gerontology Vol. 168; p. 111928
• Main Authors: Pinho, João Pedro, Azevedo, Ana Paula Silva, Serrão, Júlio Cerca, Forner-Cordero, Arturo, Amadio, Alberto Carlos, Mezêncio, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 15.10.2022
• Subjects: Balance; Body sway; Center of pressure; Falling risk; Light touch; Stroop test; Center of pressure; Falling risk; Light touch; Body sway; Balance; Stroop test
• ISSN: 0531-5565; 1873-6815
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111928

Postural control relies on three principal sensory systems: vision, vestibular and proprioceptive; that are affected by aging. When performing a cognitive task concomitantly with a motor task, those sensory impairments lead to even greater deleterious effects on balance. We aimed to study the effects of a sensory aid (a light touch) on a dual task paradigm and sought to understand the different responses on balance due to aging. Fifty healthy and highly physical active women were divided in two groups: young (N = 25, 24.2 ± 4.0 years) and older adults (N = 25, 67.3 ± 4.2 years). In a random and balanced order, all participants performed five tasks: Stroop test while seated (Seated); Stroop test while standing quiet (ST); Standing quiet (BL); Standing quiet with a haptic input (LT); and Stroop test with a haptic input while standing quiet (SL). In the Stroop test, older women committed more errors (50 vs 11 errors, p < 0.001) and had higher reaction time (1.001 ± 0.191 vs 0.699 ± 0.081 s, p < 0.001). The haptic input (LT) reduced all body sway parameters, in both groups, regardless the condition. This means that postural control under a dual task paradigm (ST) deleterious effect can be mitigated by a haptic input. •Haptic input can mitigate the effects of aging on balance.•Dual task performance is not compromised by the haptic input.•The haptic input mitigates the effects of aging on a dual task paradigm.