Haptic Information Improvement on Postural Sway is Information-Dependent But Not Influenced by Cognitive Task

Young adults reduce their sway in both light touch (LT) and anchor systems (AS), however, the cognitive involvement in these tasks is unknown. This study investigated postural control in young adults standing upright using either LT or AS, concomitantly with a cognitive task (counting). Nine adults (26 ± 7.4 years) stood in the upright tandem stance with eyes closed, with/without LT, AS (force <2 N), and a cognitive task. The mean sway amplitude of the trunk, right wrist, and shoulder ellipse area, as well as the mean force during LT and AS were obtained. The cognitive task did not influence the magnitude of trunk sway or the mean force in the LT and AS conditions. The trunk sway magnitude was reduced in the AS and even further in LT. Wrist and shoulder variability was larger in the AS than in the LT. Based on these results, we conclude that enhanced sensory cues provided by LT and AS reduce trunk sway with little or no attentional demands.