Attentional Demands of Balance under Dual Task Conditions in

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