Can augmented feedback facilitate learning a reactive balance task among older adults?

Abstract

While concurrent augmented visual feedback of the centre of pressure (COP) or centre of gravity (COG) can improve quiet standing balance control, it is not known if such feedback improves reactive balance control. Additionally, it is not known if feedback of the COP or COG is superior. This study aimed to determine if: 1) concurrent augmented feedback can improve reactive balance control; and 2) feedback of the COP or COG is more effective. Forty-eight healthy older adults (60-75 years old) were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups: feedback of the COP, feedback of the COG, or No Feedback. The task was to maintain standing while experiencing 30 seconds of continuous pseudo-random perturbations delivered by a moving platform. Participants completed 25 trials with or without feedback (acquisition), immediately followed by 5 trials without feedback (immediate transfer); 5 trials without feedback were completed after a 24-hour delay (delayed transfer). The root mean square error (RMSE) of COP-COG, electrodermal level, and cocontraction index were compared between the groups and over time. All three groups reduced RMSE and co-contraction index from the start of the acquisition to the transfer tests, and there were no significant between-group differences in RMSE or co-contraction on the transfer tests. Therefore, all three groups learned the task equally well and improved balance was achieved with practice via a more efficient control strategy. The two feedback groups reduced electrodermal level with practice, but the No Feedback group did not, suggesting that feedback may help to reduce anxiety.

Adolescents’ Postural Control Learning According to the Frequency of Knowledge of Process

“…augmented feedback does not enhance motor learning in a reactive balance task (Mansfield et al, 2017). However, this is contrary to Sullivan et al (2008) and Wulf et al (2010) who found higher task performance for children receiving augmented feedback more frequently.…”

Effects of Melatonin on Neurological Function and Maintenance of Physical and Motor Fitness in Collegiate Student-Athletes Following Sleep Deprivation

“…The feedback provided by the visual stimuli was given to the subjects to maintain balance in both static and dynamic positions. The validity and reliability of this tool have been confirmed in previous studies (10).…”

Attentional Resource Associated With Visual Feedback on a Postural Dual Task in Parkinson’s Disease

“…6 However, although the positive effect of visual feedback on posture is found in healthy adults, [7][8][9][10] some researchers proposed that visual feedback of postural tasks might lead to greater arousal, resulting in a higher cognitive (attentional) load of postural control. 11 Since the attentional resource is more limited in patients with PD than healthy adults, higher attentional load of posture may exceed the available resource capacity in PD, especially in dual-task conditions, in which both postural task and suprapostural task compete for the limited attentional resource. 12 Thus, consensus remains elusive regarding how posture is controlled when patients with PD are presented with visual feedback from their actual postural performance.…”