Decreased Saccadic Eye Movement Speed Correlates with Dynamic Balance in Older Adults

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the change in saccadic eye movement (SEM) speed according to age (young older; 65–72 years, middle older; 73–80 years, old older: over 81 years) in the elderly and identify the correlation between SEM speed and balance ability. We recruited 128 elderly individuals and measured their SEM speed and balance. The SEM speed was measured to allow the target to appear once every 2 s (0.5 Hz), twice per second (2 Hz), or thrice per second (3 Hz). The SEM performance time was 1 min with a washout period of 1 min. Balance ability was measured using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go test (TUG), and walking speed (WS). As age increased, FRT, TUG, and WS decreased and SEM speed was significantly decreased in old older than in young older adults at 3 HZ. In all participants, the 3 Hz SEM speed was significantly correlated with TUG and WS. Therefore, SEM speed may be inadequate or decreased in response to rapid external environmental stimuli and may be a factor that deteriorates the ability to balance in older adults.

Assessment of Physical Fitness in Geriatric Individuals in Loni: A Descriptive Study

“…Age-related changes in dynamic position sense have also been observed, with a decline in position sense associated with decreased balance and impaired physical function (29). Saccadic eye movement (SEM) speed, which is related to balance ability, decreases with age, particularly in response to rapid external stimuli (30). Additionally, agility and dynamic balance are affected by somatotype and the presence of metabolic syndrome (SM) in older adults, with those without SM demonstrating better agility and dynamic balance (31).…”

Fast Saccadic Eye Movements Contribute to the Worsened Postural Sway in Older Adults Who Have Experienced Falls

“…In adults of all ages, PS increases when an individual’s eyes are closed rather than open [ 21 ], suggesting that visual stimulation has a greater effect on balance. Moreover, rapid SEM can contribute to deterioration in balance ability [ 12 ]. Poor postural balance in older adults may indicate an impaired ability to recover from mild postural disturbances [ 22 ], and CoP parameters represent the response to gravity and the effects of relatively small, self-initiating corrective movements [ 23 ].…”

“…However, there was no change in the faller group. There is a correlation between eye movement speed and balance ability, and impaired balance may also slow eye movement speed [ 12 ]. Therefore, the faller may not be able to perform eye movements that can maintain postural stability.…”

“…Therefore, SEM is an important factor used to determine the position of the body in space with respect to a moving target [ 11 ], thereby playing an important role in controlling PS in the upright posture. In a recent study, it was reported that the response of SEM to sudden external environmental stimuli may be inadequate or decreased, which may be a contributing factor to poor balance in the elderly [ 12 ]. In addition, this may be because there is a difference in balance between older adults who have experienced a fall and those who have not.…”

“…Despite significant research on SEM, no study has been able to identify differences in balance ability between fallers and non-fallers following SEM stimulation. In addition, SEM speed decreases with age [ 12 ], and participants may complain of dizziness when performing SEM speeds above 3 Hz [ 8 ]. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the changes in PS and differences between groups at 0.5, 2 and 3 Hz SEM stimulation.…”