The Effect of Task Difficulty and Visual Feedback on Balance in Elderly Women

The purpose of present study was to determine the effect of different levels of balance task difficulty and visual feedback on balance in elderly women. Fourteen healthy elderly women (mean age 57/65 yr) were selected voluntarily. Participants were asked to stand still on a stability platform under each of two conditions (with visual feedback and without visual feedback) in three levels of difficulty (6, 8, 10). Stability index scores (Overall, Anterior- Posterior and Medial- Lateral) were calculated by Biodex Balance System. Duration of each test was 20 seconds and rest times were 20 seconds. Results showed that with increasing task difficulty, score of Medial- Lateral balance (p= 0/02) increased significantly. In addition, There was a significant reduction in the scores of Overall balance (p= 0/001), anterior - posterior balance (p= 0/01) and medial - lateral balance (p= 0/01) in visual feedback condition compared with without feedback condition. Overall, the results of this study showed that increasing task difficulty increases postural sway and availability of visual feedback can improve balance and reduce the postural sway.