Trunk sway reductions in young and older adults using multi-modal biofeedback

Davis, Justin R.; Carpenter, Mark G.; Tschanz, Roger; Meyes, Simon; Debrunner, Daniel; Burger, Juergen; Allum, John H.J.

doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.02.002

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Volume 31, Issue 4 , Pages 465-472, April 2010

Trunk sway reductions in young and older adults using multi-modal biofeedback

Justin R. Davis
- School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Canada
Mark G. Carpenter
- School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Canada
- Corresponding author at: Neural Control of Posture and Movement Laboratory. Osborne Centre, Room 213, 6108 Thunderbird Blvd. Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3. Tel.: +1 604 822 8614; fax: +1 604 822 9451.
Roger Tschanz
- Technical University of Applied Sciences, Biel, Switzerland
Simon Meyes
- Technical University of Applied Sciences, Biel, Switzerland
Daniel Debrunner
- Technical University of Applied Sciences, Biel, Switzerland
Juergen Burger
- Technical University of Applied Sciences, Biel, Switzerland
John H.J. Allum
- Div of Audiology and Neurootology, Dept of ORL, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Received 2 April 2009; received in revised form 26 January 2010; accepted 1 February 2010. published online 08 March 2010.

Abstract

This study investigated whether real-time biofeedback of angular trunk displacement could alter balance performance among healthy older and young adults. Healthy community-dwelling older adults (n=32) and healthy young adults (n=32) were included in the randomized control trial study. The intervention group received combined vibrotactile, auditory and visual biofeedback of angular trunk displacement in real-time during training on a battery of static and dynamic balance tasks and during the subsequent post-training balance re-assessment. The control group received balance training and were re-assessed in the absence of real-time biofeedback of their trunk displacement. The 90% range of angular trunk displacement was calculated for each balance task pre- and post-training. Significant age-related differences were observed independent of the intervention. Biofeedback intervention significantly changed the angular displacement of the trunk for both young and older participants on a number of balance tasks compared to control treatment (40–60% reduction in angular displacement). In some cases, biofeedback influenced balance in older adults, but not younger adults.