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Divided visual attention as a predictor of bumping while walking: the Salisbury Eye Evaluation
Aimee Teo Broman1, Sheila K West, Beatriz Muñoz
1Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA. aibroman@jhmi.edu
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|August 25, 2004
Summary
Poor visual attention, measured by the useful field of view (UFOV) processing speed, is linked to increased bumping while walking in older adults. This highlights visual attention deficits as a key risk factor for mobility challenges.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Ophthalmology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Mobility impairments, such as bumping into objects while walking, are common in older adults.
- Divided visual attention, assessed using the useful field of view (UFOV), is a critical cognitive function for safe navigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the useful field of view (UFOV) and the incidence of bumping into objects during walking in an older adult population.
- To determine if poorer divided visual attention predicts increased bumping frequency.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized data from the Salisbury Eye Evaluation, a population-based study of adults aged 72-92.
- Participants completed a standardized walking course with obstacles, and the number of bumps was recorded.
- The useful field of view (UFOV) test measured divided attention based on simultaneous central and peripheral visual processing speed.
Main Results:
- A 50 ms decrease in UFOV processing speed was associated with a 4.9% increase in the number of bumps (P = 0.004), after adjusting for various demographic, cognitive, and visual factors.
- While both UFOV and visual field tests showed some predictive accuracy, their positive predictive values for identifying individuals with high bump counts were low.
Conclusions:
- The useful field of view (UFOV) test, specifically its measure of processing speed, independently predicts bumping while walking.
- Impaired visual attention is a significant risk factor for bumping incidents in older adults, underscoring the importance of visual attention in mobility safety.