Trunk sway reductions in young and older adults using multi-modal biofeedback.
This study investigated whether real-time biofeedback of angular trunk displacement could alter balance performance among healthy older and young adults. Healthy community-dwelling older adults (n=32) and healthy young adults (n=32) were included in the randomized control trial study. The intervention group received combined vibrotactile, auditory and visual biofeedback of angular trunk displacement in real-time during training on a battery of static and dynamic balance tasks and during the subsequent post-training balance re-assessment. The control group received balance training and were re-assessed in the absence of real-time biofeedback of their trunk displacement. The 90% range of angular trunk displacement was calculated for each balance task pre- and post-training. Significant age-related differences were observed independent of the intervention. Biofeedback intervention significantly changed the angular displacement of the trunk for both young and older participants on a number of balance tasks compared to control treatment (40-60% reduction in angular displacement). In some cases, biofeedback influenced balance in older adults, but not younger adults.
Davis
Justin R
JR
School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Carpenter
Mark G
MG
Tschanz
Roger
R
Meyes
Simon
S
Debrunner
Daniel
D
Burger
Juergen
J
Allum
John H J
JH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000502:physiology*