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Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
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Experimental knee-related pain enhances attentional interference on postural control
Eneida Yuri Suda1, Rogerio Pessoto Hirata2, Thorvaldur Palsson3
1Laboratory of Biomechanics of Human Movement, Department Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
European Journal of Applied Physiology
|July 22, 2019
Summary
Experimental pain impairs postural stability, especially during demanding cognitive tasks. This suggests pain consumes cognitive resources, leading to reduced balance performance and increased fall risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Postural stability is crucial for daily activities.
- Cognitive load can influence motor control.
- The interplay between pain, cognition, and balance is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how experimental pain affects postural stability.
- To examine the influence of different cognitive tasks on pain-induced postural changes.
- To quantify changes in center of pressure (CoP) variables during pain and cognitive load.
Main Methods:
- Sixteen healthy adults underwent intramuscular injections of hypertonic or isotonic saline.
- Participants performed cognitive tasks (counting forwards/backwards) while standing on a force plate.
- Center of pressure (CoP) parameters were recorded and analyzed for changes.
Main Results:
- Painful injections significantly altered CoP total area and medial-lateral velocity compared to control injections during forward counting.
- CoP total area, medial-lateral velocity, and anterior-posterior velocity showed significant increases when counting backwards versus forwards after painful injections.
- These findings indicate task-dependent modulations of postural stability under painful conditions.
Conclusions:
- Experimental pain significantly impacts postural stability.
- The degree of postural instability is influenced by the type of concurrent cognitive task.
- Pain may compete for cognitive resources, leading to compromised balance and potentially increased fall risk.
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