Psychophysiological Responses To Dual-task Postural Control In Older Adults After 3-month Of Cognitive-motor Intervention

Abstract

In the aging process, there is a higher competition for attentional resources during challenging/dual-task postural conditions, which consequently increases risk of falls. Fall prevention programs should therefore seek proper interventions to improve dual-task performance of the elderly. PURPOSE: To assess psychophysiological responses to dual-task postural control in older adults and the effectiveness of 3-month cognitive-motor intervention. METHODS: Thirty healthy older adults (70±6y, 76% women) were randomly divided into either 3-month cognitive-motor or control group. Postural control was monitored using a force plate (AMTI HE600600-2k, MA, USA) during quiet stance and in tandem position, both in normal and in DT conditions (subtracting threes). Psychophysiological responses (heart rate and variability, breathing frequency, skin temperature and galvanic skin responses) were assessed with NeXus-10 MKII (Mind Media B.V., The Netherlands). Finally, the subjective ratings of physical and cognitive workload were assessed by Borg scale. The results were addressed by interactions of RM ANOVA at p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant interactions in terms of better outcomes for cognitive-motor group were found for heart rate (p=0.044) and breathing frequency (p=0.048) whereas results for postural sway failed to reach statistical significance (non-significant trend p=0.097). Furthermore, subjective ratings were increased in both groups with increased postural difficulty (p<0.05). Finally, the cognitive-motor group revealed higher accuracy of secondary (cognitive) task while balancing at the end of the intervention (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: Aging process is associated with structural and functional alterations of autonomic nervous system functions that are responsible for an impaired ability to adapt to environmental challenging tasks. The present cognitive-motor intervention was identified as a potentially promising method to counteract these age-related negative adaptations. Supported by Norway Grants, Project No. 4300-472/2014