Effect of Difference of Sensory Modality in Cognitive Task on Postural Control During Quiet Stance

Cognitive loads impact postural control; however, the specific influence of sensory modalities employed in cognitive tasks during motor-cognitive dual tasks remains unclear. This study investigated the distinct effects of visual and auditory cognitive tasks on static postural control while controlling for differences in task content. Twenty-five healthy young adults were instructed to maintain a quiet stance on a force plate under three cognitive task conditions: a single motor task (control), a paced visual serial addition task (visual), and a paced auditory serial addition task (auditory). Center of pressure (COP) displacements were measured, and both linear (e.g., sway area) and non-linear assessments of postural control were analyzed. Results revealed a significant reduction in sway area during cognitive tasks compared to the control condition. However, under the auditory condition, the power spectrum density of COP displacements in the moderate frequency band was significantly higher than those in the control and visual conditions, accompanied by a notable increase in the mean power frequency. These findings suggest that auditory cognitive load exerts a more significant effect on postural control than visual cognitive load during motor-cognitive dual tasks. This highlights the relevance of sensory modalities in cognitive loads for effective fall-risk assessment.