143 Audio-Visual Training of Perception in Ageing

Abstract

Abstract Background Multisensory perception is the ability to merge information from different sensory modalities. There is a growing interest in identifying ways to improve multisensory perception abilities in older adults, as inefficient multisensory processing has been linked to cognitive and functional impairments. Previous research has shown multisensory perception can be improved in young adults through training their simultaneity judgement. In the present study, we tested whether two different versions of this successful training protocol could train audio-visual abilities in older adults. Methods Fifty-eight (32 female) community dwelling and cognitively healthy older adults participated in this study. The age range was 60 – 85 (M=72.47, SD = 6.46). Recruitment was completed through active retired and community-based HSE Falls groups. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions; synchronous or asynchronous training. Each group performed a similar computer-based training protocol, the difference between groups being the instruction given during training. Participants’ multisensory processing was assessed using the Sound-induced Flash Illusion (SiFI) which measures processing efficiency based on susceptibility to an audio-visual illusion. Results After 3 days of training, the Analysis of Variance on multisensory thresholds revealed no significant main effect of Training Group [F(1, 42) = .22, p = .64, partial eta squared = .005], Time [F(1, 42) = .007, p = .93, partial eta squared <.001] or SOA [F(5, 210) = 1.19, p = .31, partial eta squared = .028]. Further analyses showed no performance improvement, nor change in susceptibility to the SiFI. Conclusion These results provide useful information for future studies exploring ways to train multisensory processing in older adults. We argue the cognitive demands of the computer-based task may account for the lack of an effect in older adults. Our findings highlight the role of task demands and cognitive load as factors to consider in future training studies with older adults.