Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Effect of cognitive training on postural control in the elderly

2^nd International Conference on Geriatrics & Gerontology

August 24-26, 2015 Toronto, Canada

Borel Liliane and Alescio-Lautier Beatrice

Aix-Marseille University, France

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

The effects of aging on postural control do not result solely from the alteration of sensory and motor functions regulating balance. Cognitive aging including the decline in attentional control is an important factor that has been revealed by the dual-task paradigm. In this paradigm, attentional resources should be shared to achieve correct postural and cognitive tasks. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between postural and cognitive functions with a new perspective: We tested the hypothesis that a specific training which targeted consciously controlled processes and their attentional control would improve postural performance in dual-task situations due to a better management of the two simultaneous tasks. To this aim, subjects were trained with a personalized cognitive training program based on cognitive-cognitive dual-tasks. We evaluated the benefits of training on pre- and post-training postural and cognitive dual-tasks in a group of 8 subjects (77±5 years) and compared the performance with those of a group of 9 untrained subjects (74±4 years). Our pre- and post-training dual-task paradigm was based on postural (dynamic conditions) and cognitive tasks (visual-spatial memory). The results show an improvement in postural performance of trained subjects. We hypothesize that our attention training that emphasized highly controlled processes and yielded benefits for the practiced tasks promoted training transfer to postural balance functions by positively affecting sensory information processes necessary to maintain balance.