Does a Distracting Environment Influence Clinical Test Scores for Community Dwellers Over 65 Years of Age?

Abstract

Purpose: Previous research results suggest that age-related changes in sensory systems and in the ability to actively suppress extraneous stimuli may impair postural stability in older individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of environmental distractions on performance of clinical tests of balance and gait by older adults. Subjects: Twenty-seven independent community dwellers, 20 women and 7 men, between the ages of 69 and 92 years (M = 78.2 + 6.2 years) participated in the study. Methods: Each subject performed the following 3 clinical tests in both nondistracting and distracting environments: Timed Up and Go (TUG); the modified TUG, which involves carrying a glass of water while walking; and Functional Reach. The nondistracting environment was a quiet classroom and the distracting environment was a busy corridor near the lobby of a large hospital. Results: Paired t-tests indicated that the scores did not differ significantly between the two environments for any of the clinical tests (p > .05). Discussion and Conclusion: These healthy community-dwelling older adults apparently were able to ignore irrelevant stimuli or to effectively allocate attentional resources despite the potential attentional demands of the distracting environment.