title: Integrated testing of standing balance and cognition: test-retest reliability and construct validity.
abstract: Balance and cognitive impairments which are common with aging often coexist, are prognostic of future adverse health events, including fall injuries. Consequently, dual-task assessment programs that simultaneously address both stability and cognition are important to consider in rehabilitation and benefit healthy aging. The objective of this study was to establish test-retest reliability and construct validity of a dual-task computer game-based platform (TGP) that integrates head tracking and cognitive tasks with balance activities. Thirty healthy, community-dwelling individuals median age 64 (range 60-67) were recruited from a certified Medical Fitness Facility. Participants performed a series of computerized head tracking and cognitive game tasks while standing on fixed and sponge surfaces. Testing was conducted on two occasions, one week apart. Moderate to high test retest reliability (ICC values of 0.55-0.75) was observed for all outcome measures representing balance, gaze performance, cognition, and dual-task performance. A significant increase in center of foot pressure (COP) excursion was observed during both head tracking and cognitive dual-task conditions. The results demonstrate the system's ability to reliably detect changes related to specific and integrated aspects of balance, gaze, and cognitive performance.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: tony.szturm@med.university.ca.
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szturm
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: vedant.sak@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vedant
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sakhalkar
authors.affiliation: Reh-Fit Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. Electronic address: sue.boreskie@reh-fit.com.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boreskie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: Jonathan.Marotta@umanitoba.ca.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Marotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Manufacturing Engineering, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: cwu@cc.umanitoba.ca.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Rehabilitation, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: anuprita.kan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Anuprita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kanitkar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001837:Body Weights and Measures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D003071:Cognition / Q000145:classification* / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Balance assessment; Cognitive performance; Dual-task performance; Visual-tracking performance