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Citation |
Pieruccini-Faria F, Lord SR, Toson B, Kemmler W, Schoene D. Front. Aging Neurosci. 2019; 11: e133. |
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Affiliation |
Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2019, Frontiers Research Foundation) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
31263408 |
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PMCID |
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Abstract |
Impairments of balance predispose older people to falls. Some cognitive functions, especially executive functioning have been shown to affect balance and discriminate fallers from non-fallers. Mental flexibility is a component of the executive function and comprises multiple cognitive processes that work together to adjust the course of thoughts or actions according to the changing demands of a situation without the use of explicit instructions. However, the role of mental flexibility in balance in older people remains unclear. The study aim was to examine the relationship between mental flexibility and falls in a cohort of 212 older people (80.6 ± 4.9 years; 62% female). We hypothesized that: (i) participants with impaired balance would have worse mental flexibility compared to those with good balance; and (ii) poor mental flexibility would predict falls in the sub-group with impaired balance. Balance performance was assessed by measuring postural sway while standing on a medium density foam mat with eyes open for 30 s. Mental flexibility was assessed using a computerized short-form of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST; 64 cards) with its sub-components comprising general performance, perseveration, failure-to-maintain set and conceptual ability. Falls were measured prospectively for 12-months using monthly calendars. MANCOVA revealed that WCST performance was associated with balance ... Language: en |
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Keywords |
accidental falls; aged; balance; cognition; executive functions; mental flexibility |