scholarly journals Lower Cognitive Set Shifting Ability Is Associated With Stiffer Balance Recovery Behavior and Larger Perturbation-Evoked Cortical Responses in Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiden M. Payne ◽  
Jacqueline A. Palmer ◽  
J. Lucas McKay ◽  
Lena H. Ting
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Cognitive Set ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Balance Recovery ◽  
Recovery Behavior ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Trail Making

The mechanisms underlying associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and balance dysfunction are unclear. Cognitive set shifting refers to the ability to flexibly adjust behavior to changes in task rules or contexts, which could be involved in flexibly adjusting balance recovery behavior to different contexts, such as the direction the body is falling. Prior studies found associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and severe balance dysfunction in populations experiencing frequent falls. The objective of this study was to test whether cognitive set shifting ability is expressed in successful balance recovery behavior in older adults with high clinical balance ability (N = 19, 71 ± 7 years, 6 female). We measured cognitive set shifting ability using the Trail Making Test and clinical balance ability using the miniBESTest. For most participants, cognitive set shifting performance (Trail Making Test B-A = 37 ± 20 s) was faster than normative averages (46 s for comparable age and education levels), and balance ability scores (miniBESTest = 25 ± 2/28) were above the threshold for fall risk (23 for people between 70 and 80 years). Reactive balance recovery in response to support-surface translations in anterior and posterior directions was assessed in terms of body motion, muscle activity, and brain activity. Across participants, lower cognitive set shifting ability was associated with smaller peak center of mass displacement during balance recovery, lower directional specificity of late phase balance-correcting muscle activity (i.e., greater antagonist muscle activity 200–300 ms after perturbation onset), and larger cortical N1 responses (100–200 ms). None of these measures were associated with clinical balance ability. Our results suggest that cognitive set shifting ability is expressed in balance recovery behavior even in the absence of profound clinical balance disability. Specifically, our results suggest that lower flexibility in cognitive task performance is associated with lower ability to incorporate the directional context into the cortically mediated later phase of the motor response. The resulting antagonist activity and stiffer balance behavior may help explain associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and frequent falls.

scholarly journals Lower cognitive set shifting ability is associated with stiffer balance recovery behavior and larger perturbation-evoked cortical responses in older adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiden Payne ◽  
Jacqueline A Palmer ◽  
J Lucas McKay ◽  
Lena H Ting
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Cognitive Set ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Balance Recovery ◽  
Recovery Behavior ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Trail Making

The mechanisms underlying associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and balance dysfunction are unclear. Cognitive set shifting refers to the ability to flexibly adjust behavior to changes in task rules or contexts, which could be involved in flexibly adjusting balance recovery behavior to different contexts, such as the direction the body is falling. Prior studies found associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and severe balance dysfunction in populations experiencing frequent falls. The objective of this study was to test whether cognitive set shifting ability is expressed in successful balance recovery behavior in older adults with high clinical balance ability (N=19, 71 ± 7 years, 6 female). We measured cognitive set shifting ability using the Trail Making Test and clinical balance ability using the miniBESTest. For most participants, cognitive set shifting performance (Trail Making Test B-A = 37 ± 20s) was faster than normative averages (46s for comparable age and education levels), and balance ability scores (miniBESTest = 25 ± 2 / 28) were above the threshold for fall risk (23 for people between 70-80 years). Reactive balance recovery in response to support-surface translations in anterior and posterior directions was assessed in terms of body motion, muscle activity, and brain activity. Across participants, lower cognitive set shifting ability was associated with smaller peak center of mass displacement during balance recovery, lower directional specificity of late phase balance-correcting muscle activity (i.e., greater antagonist muscle activity 200-300ms after perturbation onset), and larger cortical N1 responses (100-200ms). None of these measures were associated with clinical balance ability. Our results suggest that cognitive set shifting ability is expressed in balance recovery behavior even in the absence of profound clinical balance disability. Specifically, our results suggest that lower flexibility in cognitive task performance is associated with lower ability to incorporate the directional context into the cortically-mediated later phase of the motor response. The resulting antagonist activity and stiffer balance behavior may help explain associations between cognitive set shifting impairments and frequent falls.

scholarly journals Cortical beta oscillatory activity evoked during reactive balance recovery scales with perturbation difficulty and individual balance ability

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina J. Ghosn ◽  
Jacqueline A. Palmer ◽  
Michael R. Borich ◽  
Lena H. Ting ◽  
Aiden M. Payne
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Balance Recovery ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Recovery Behavior ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Reactive Balance

I.AbstractCortical beta oscillations (13-30 Hz) reflect sensorimotor cortical activity, but have not been fully investigated in balance recovery behavior. We hypothesized that more challenging balance conditions would lead to greater recruitment of cortical sensorimotor brain regions for balance recovery. We predicted that beta power would be enhanced when balance recovery is more challenging, either due to more difficult perturbations or due to lower intrinsic balance ability. In 19 young adults, we measured beta power evoked over motor cortical areas (Cz electrode) during 3 magnitudes of backward support-surface translational perturbations using electroencephalography. Peak beta power was measured during early (50-150 ms), late (150-250 ms), and overall (0-400 ms) time bins, and wavelet-based analyses quantified the time course of evoked beta power and agonist and antagonist ankle muscle activity. We further assessed the relationship between individual balance ability measured in a challenging beam walking task and perturbation-evoked beta power within each time bin. In balance perturbations, cortical beta power increased ∼50 ms after perturbation onset, demonstrating greater increases with increasing perturbation magnitude. Balance ability was negatively associated with peak beta power in only the late (150-250 ms) time bin, with higher beta power in individuals who performed worse in the beam walking task. Additionally, the time course of cortical beta power followed a similar waveform as the evoked muscle activity, suggesting these evoked responses may be initially evoked by shared underlying mechanisms. These findings support the active role of sensorimotor cortex in balance recovery behavior, with greater recruitment of cortical resources under more challenging balance conditions. Cortical beta power may therefore provide a biomarker for engagement of sensorimotor cortical resources during reactive balance recovery and reflect the individual level of balance challenge.

scholarly journals Trail making and cognitive set-shifting

2000 ◽  
Vol 58 (3B) ◽  
pp. 826-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
RICARDO DE OLIVERA-SOUZA ◽  
JORGE MOLL ◽  
LEIGH J. PASSMAN ◽  
FERNANDO CIMINI CUNHA ◽  
FLÁVIA PAES ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Cognitive Set ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Valid Measure ◽  
Trail Making

We tested the hypothesis that Part B of the Trail Making Test (TMT) is a measure of cognitive set-shifting ability in 55 normal subjects with the conventional (written) TMT and a verbal adaptation, the "verbal TMT" (vTMT). The finding of a significant association between Parts B of TMT and vTMT (r = 0,59, p < 0,001), after correcting for age and education, supports the view that Part B of TMT is a valid measure of the ability to alternate between cognitive categories.

Functional MRI of cognitive set-shifting using an oral version of the trail making test

NeuroImage ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. S41
Author(s):  
Jorge Moll ◽  
Ricardo de Oliveira-Souza ◽  
Ivanei Edson Bramati ◽  
Flávia Paes ◽  
Fernando Cimini Cunha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional Mri ◽  
Cognitive Set ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Set Shifting ◽  
Trail Making

scholarly journals Multidirectional Overground Robotic Training Leads to Improvements in Balance in Older Adults

Robotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Lara A. Thompson ◽  
Mehdi Badache ◽  
Joao Augusto Renno Brusamolin ◽  
Marzieh Savadkoohi ◽  
Jelani Guise ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Robotic System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Training Methods ◽  
Robotic Training ◽  
Balance Confidence ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Abc Scale

For the rapidly growing aging demographic worldwide, robotic training methods could be impactful towards improving balance critical for everyday life. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that non-bodyweight supportive (nBWS) overground robotic balance training would lead to improvements in balance performance and balance confidence in older adults. Sixteen healthy older participants (69.7 ± 6.7 years old) were trained while donning a harness from a distinctive NaviGAITor robotic system. A control group of 11 healthy participants (68.7 ± 5.0 years old) underwent the same training but without the robotic system. Training included 6 weeks of standing and walking tasks while modifying: (1) sensory information (i.e., with and without vision (eyes-open/closed), with more and fewer support surface cues (hard or foam surfaces)) and (2) base-of-support (wide, tandem and single-leg standing exercises). Prior to and post-training, balance ability and balance confidence were assessed via the balance error scoring system (BESS) and the Activities specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, respectively. Encouragingly, results showed that balance ability improved (i.e., BESS errors significantly decreased), particularly in the nBWS group, across nearly all test conditions. This result serves as an indication that robotic training has an impact on improving balance for healthy aging individuals.

scholarly journals Effects of dance on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Hewston ◽  
Courtney Clare Kennedy ◽  
Sayem Borhan ◽  
Dafna Merom ◽  
Pasqualina Santaguida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Global Cognitive Function ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Complex Attention

Abstract Background dance is a mind–body activity that stimulates neuroplasticity. We explored the effect of dance on cognitive function in older adults. Methods we searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and PsycInfo databases from inception to August 2020 (PROSPERO:CRD42017057138). Inclusion criteria were (i) randomised controlled trials (ii) older adults (aged ≥ 55 years), (iii) intervention—dance and (iv) outcome—cognitive function. Cognitive domains were classified with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 Neurocognitive Framework. Meta-analyses were performed in RevMan5.3 and certainty of evidence with GradePro. Results we reviewed 3,997 records and included 11 studies (N = 1,412 participants). Seven studies included only healthy older adults and four included those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dance interventions varied in frequency (1–3×/week), time (35–60 minutes), duration (3–12 months) and type. We found a mean difference (MD) = 1.58 (95% confidence interval [CI) = 0.21–2.95) on the Mini Mental State Examination for global cognitive function (moderate-certainty evidence), and the Wechsler Memory Test for learning and memory had an MD = 3.02 (95% CI = 1.38–4.65; low-certainty evidence). On the Trail Making Test-A for complex attention, MD = 3.07 (95% CI = −0.81 to 6.95; high-certainty evidence) and on the Trail Making Test-B for executive function, MD = −4.12 (95% CI = −21.28 to 13.03; moderate-certainty evidence). Subgroup analyses did not suggest consistently greater effects in older adults with MCI. Evidence is uncertain for language, and no studies evaluated social cognition or perceptual–motor function. Conclusions dance probably improves global cognitive function and executive function. However, there is little difference in complex attention, and evidence also suggests little effect on learning and memory. Future research is needed to determine the optimal dose and if dance results in greater cognitive benefits than other types of physical activity and exercise.

scholarly journals ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE NIH TOOLBOX COGNITION BATTERY AND GAIT IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S931-S931
Author(s):  
Kate Hamel ◽  
Sarah Barber ◽  
Carl Ketcham ◽  
Kristy Lui
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Stride Length ◽  
Dimensional Change ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Card Sort ◽  
Cognitive Predictors ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Temporal Measures

Abstract The relationship between older adults’ gait and cognition has been well-studied, however there is little consensus regarding a best set of measures to assess cognition. One option that has not been previously examined is the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHT-CB), which was developed to be used across the lifespan and across research disciplines. This study examined the relationships between the seven subtests of the NIHT-CB, Trail-Making Tests A and B, and temporospatial measures of gait. One hundred sixty-seven healthy, community-dwelling older adults (115 females, 73.4 ± 4.5 years) completed these cognitive measures and also walked at their self-selected pace back-and-forth five times along a temporospatial-measuring walkway. The mean and coefficient of variation were calculated for each gait variable (stride length, width, time and velocity; stance/swing time and % of stride). After controlling for potential confounders (height, weight, age, sex, education, self-efficacy, health, exercise and falls history), executive function measures were typically the most significant cognitive predictors. More specifically, the Dimensional Change Card Sort task was the best predictor of temporal measures and stride velocity (all ps &lt; 0.001) and the Trail-Making Test Part B was the best predictor for variability measures (five of eight p-values &lt; 0.001). Interestingly, stride length and also stance and swing % of stride were strongly related to a measure of language - Picture Vocabulary (all ps &lt; 0.006). The NIHT-CB appears to be a useful tool for studies of gait in older adults, particularly when used in conjunction with Trail-Making Test B.

scholarly journals Language dominance and inhibition abilities in bilingual older adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIRA GORAL ◽  
LUCA CAMPANELLI ◽  
AVRON SPIRO
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Simon Task ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Single Test ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Bilingual Advantage ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Trail Making

This study aimed to examine the so-called bilingual advantage in older adults’ performance in three cognitive domains and to identify whether language use and bilingual type (dominant vs. balanced) predicted performance. The participants were 106 Spanish–English bilinguals ranging in age from 50 years to 84 years. Three cognitive domains were examined (each by a single test): inhibition (the Simon task), alternating attention (the Trail Making test), and working memory (Month Ordering). The data revealed that age was negatively correlated to performance in each domain. Bilingual type – balanced vs. dominant – predicted performance and interacted with age only on the inhibition measure (the Simon task). Balanced bilinguals showed age-related inhibition decline (i.e., greater Simon effect with increasing age); in contrast, dominant bilinguals showed little or no age-related change. The findings suggest that bilingualism may offer cognitive advantage in older age only for a subset of bilinguals.

Clinimetric validity of the Trail Making Test Czech version in Parkinson’s disease and normative data for older adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (sup1) ◽  
pp. 42-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondrej Bezdicek ◽  
Hana Stepankova ◽  
Bradley N. Axelrod ◽  
Tomas Nikolai ◽  
Zdenek Sulc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Normative Data ◽  
Trail Making Test ◽  
Trail Making

scholarly journals Cortical Beta Oscillatory Activity Evoked during Reactive Balance Recovery Scales with Perturbation Difficulty and Individual Balance Ability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 860
Author(s):  
Nina J. Ghosn ◽  
Jacqueline A. Palmer ◽  
Michael R. Borich ◽  
Lena H. Ting ◽  
Aiden M. Payne
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Oscillatory Activity ◽  
Support Surface ◽  
Balance Recovery ◽  
Sensorimotor Processing ◽  
Cortical Areas ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Reactive Balance

Cortical beta oscillations (13–30 Hz) reflect sensorimotor processing, but are not well understood in balance recovery. We hypothesized that sensorimotor cortical activity would increase under challenging balance conditions. We predicted greater beta power when balance was challenged, either by more difficult perturbations or by lower balance ability. In 19 young adults, we measured beta power over motor cortical areas (electroencephalography, Cz electrode) during three magnitudes of backward support -surface translations. Peak beta power was measured during early (50–150 ms), late (150–250 ms), and overall (0–400 ms) time bins, and wavelet-based analyses quantified the time course of evoked beta power. An ANOVA was used to compare peak beta power across perturbation magnitudes in each time bin. We further tested the association between perturbation-evoked beta power and individual balance ability measured in a challenging beam walking task. Beta power increased ~50 ms after perturbation, and to a greater extent in larger perturbations. Lower individual balance ability was associated with greater beta power in only the late (150–250 ms) time bin. These findings demonstrate greater sensorimotor cortical engagement under more challenging balance conditions, which may provide a biomarker for reduced automaticity in balance control that could be used in populations with neurological impairments.

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