The Effect of Different Kinds of Self- Talk on Balance Function of the Healthy Elderly

The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the effects of two kinds of motivational and instructional self–talk on the performance of static and dynamic balance tasks in the elderly. For this purpose، 45 old subjects aged between 60 and 70 from Qom province participated in this study. Static balance task (stand on one leg) and dynamic balance task (SEBT test) were instructed with no self–talk intervention. Then، they were divided into three groups: motivational self–talk، instructional self–talk and control. One–way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data. The results showed a significant difference among the groups. The result of Tukey post hoc test showed no significant difference in static balance task between instructional and motivational self–talk (P>0. 05). Also، in dynamic balance task، instructional self–talk significantly improved balance function compared to motivational self–talk (P<0. 05). Generally، self–talk as a cognitive strategy was effective in performing balance tasks and motivational self–talk was preferred in dynamic balance tasks.