Integrated testing of standing balance and cognition: test-retest reliability and construct validity

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Rehabilitation Science
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Aging is frequently associated with co-occurring balance and cognitive impairments.
• These impairments increase the risk of adverse health events, such as falls.
• Dual-task assessment and rehabilitation programs are crucial for healthy aging and fall prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish the test-retest reliability and construct validity of a novel dual-task computer game-based platform (TGP).
• The TGP integrates head tracking, cognitive tasks, and balance activities for comprehensive assessment.
• To evaluate the platform's utility in assessing integrated stability and cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

• Thirty healthy, community-dwelling older adults (median age 64) participated.
• Participants completed computerized head tracking and cognitive game tasks on stable and unstable surfaces.
• Testing was repeated one week apart to assess test-retest reliability.

Main Results:

• Moderate to high test-retest reliability (ICC values 0.55-0.75) was found for balance, gaze, cognitive, and dual-task measures.
• A significant increase in center of foot pressure (COP) excursion was noted under dual-task conditions (head tracking and cognitive).
• The TGP demonstrated reliability in detecting changes in specific and integrated balance, gaze, and cognitive functions.

Conclusions:

• The dual-task computer game-based platform (TGP) exhibits good reliability and validity for assessing older adults.
• The system effectively measures performance during integrated balance and cognitive tasks.
• This technology holds promise for rehabilitation and the promotion of healthy aging by addressing dual-task deficits.