Attentional Demands of Balance Under Dual Task Conditions in Young Adults

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the role of attentional process in postural control using choice reaction time task while changing the visual and proprioceptive cues under difficult balance task (standing on one-leg). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted by participating 20 young people (22.75±2.29). Each subject performed one-leg standing as balance task for each of the following 2 test conditions: free balance position (single task), and balancing while performing secondary cognitive task (choice reaction time task). Each test was carried out for each of the following 3 sensory conditions: on hard surface with open eyes, on hard surface with closed eyes and on foam surface with closed eyes. One way ANOVA was used for analysis. Results: Analyses of the task conditions didn’t show significant difference between single and dual task under two sensory conditions, in open and in closed eye on hard surface (P>0.05), but there was significant difference between single and dual tasks on soft foam with closed eyes [t(19)=-2.391, P=0.027]. Discussion: Findings revealed that significant difference in balance performance of individuals under three different sensory conditions caused by reduction in base of support and this effect can be seen in dual task condition as well. Therefore it can be concluded that the nature of the primary task have the most influence on balance performance and this is not the effect of dual task condition.