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A Stroop Stepping Test (SST) using low-cost computer game technology discriminates between older fallers and
Daniel Schoene1, Stuart T Smith, Thomas A Davies
1Neuroscience Research Australia, Falls and Balance Research Group, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Age and Ageing
|October 17, 2013
Summary
The Stroop Stepping Test (SST), a new video game, effectively identifies older adults at risk of falling. Increased errors on the SST significantly predict falls in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Impaired stepping and reduced cognitive function are key fall-risk factors in older adults.
- Real-life fall risk assessment needs functional measures reflecting behavior.
- Existing methods may not capture the interplay between cognition and mobility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the Stroop Stepping Test (SST) as a functional measure for fall risk.
- To determine if the SST can differentiate between older fallers and non-fallers.
- To explore cognitive mechanisms underlying fall risk in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 103 cognitively intact older adults (70-93 years).
- Participants completed the SST, assessing stepping accuracy and response inhibition.
- Self-reported fall history (past 12 months) was collected alongside other fall-risk measures.
Main Results:
- 28% of participants reported at least one fall in the past year.
- Higher SST mean time per trial and increased SST errors were significantly associated with falls.
- Each error on the SST independently increased the odds of falling by 1.65 times after adjusting for other risk factors.
Conclusions:
- The Stroop Stepping Test (SST) is a feasible, low-cost tool for older adults.
- The SST effectively distinguishes between older fallers and non-fallers.
- This novel video game approach offers new insights into cognitive contributions to fall risk.
