Effects of Different Auditory Stimuli and Cognitive Tasks on Balance in Healthy Young Adults

This study investigated the effect of different auditory stimuli and cognitive tasks on balance in healthy young adults.

Thirty-three participants, aged 23.33 ± 2.43 years, were included in the study. The hearing levels of the participants were determined. Static and dynamic postural stability and limits of stability (LOS) tests were performed in the absence of auditory stimuli, in the presence of spondee word lists at 70 dB(A) and in the presence of spondee+white noise (-6 dB signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]), while auditory stimuli were presented bilaterally with supra-aural headphones. Participants were asked to repeat the words they listened to while performing balance-related tasks.

No significant differences between the three conditions were observed in the postural stability and LOS results. Increase in total repetition error was observed as the listening task became more difficult.

The presence of auditory stimuli and the cognitive tasks did not cause any changes in the participants' balance.