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Wang Y, Zhong M, Li Y, Liu Y, Tong B, Qiu J, Chen S. Association Between Hearing Loss, Asymmetric Hearing, and Postural Instability. Ear Hear 2024; 45:827-836. [PMID: 38351499 DOI: 10.1097/aud.0000000000001474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent studies have suggested that older adults with hearing loss (HL) are at a greater risk of postural instability than those with normal hearing. However, little is known regarding this association in middle-aged individuals. The relationships between HL laterality, asymmetric hearing, and posture control are similarly unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hearing status on postural control and to explore the dose-response relationship between the hearing threshold and postural instability risk in middle-aged adults. DESIGN This cross-sectional study included 1308 participants aged 40 to 69 years with complete audiometric and standing balance function data from the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Speech-frequency HL was defined as a pure-tone average at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz of >25 dB in the better-hearing ear; high-frequency HL was defined as a pure-tone average at 3, 4, and 6 kHz of >25 dB. Asymmetric hearing was defined as a difference in the pure-tone average >15 dB between ears. Postural instability was defined as participants ending the modified Romberg test in condition 4. RESULTS After adjustment for sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, and comorbidities, speech-frequency HL, except for unilateral HL, was associated with increased postural instability (mild HL: odds ratio [OR], 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-4.35; moderate-to-severe HL: OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.61-8.03). Compared with individuals with normal bilateral hearing, participants with bilateral HL also showed a higher risk of postural instability (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.61-5.14). The OR for postural instability among participants with asymmetric hearing compared with those with symmetric hearing was 2.75 (95% CI, 1.37-5.52). Furthermore, each 10 dB increase in the speech-frequency hearing threshold was associated with a 44% higher risk of postural instability. CONCLUSIONS Hearing loss is associated with poorer postural control. Individuals with asymmetric hearing have a higher postural instability risk compared with those with symmetric hearing. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and the causality. Moreover, future studies are warranted to assess whether hearing aids are beneficial for the restoration of impaired balance functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Mei Zhong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Yehai Liu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Busheng Tong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Jianxin Qiu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Fuyang Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Shanwen Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
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Qiu Y, Luo Z. Research on Brain Networks of Human Balance Based on Phase Estimation Synchronization. Brain Sci 2024; 14:448. [PMID: 38790427 PMCID: PMC11118820 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Phase synchronization serves as an effective method for analyzing the synchronization of electroencephalogram (EEG) signals among brain regions and the dynamic changes of the brain. The purpose of this paper is to study the construction of the functional brain network (FBN) based on phase synchronization, with a special focus on neural processes related to human balance regulation. This paper designed four balance paradigms of different difficulty by blocking vision or proprioception and collected 19-channel EEG signals. Firstly, the EEG sequences are segmented by sliding windows. The phase-locking value (PLV) of core node pairs serves as the phase-screening index to extract the valid data segments, which are recombined into new EEG sequences. Subsequently, the multichannel weighted phase lag index (wPLI) is calculated based on the new EEG sequences to construct the FBN. The experimental results show that due to the randomness of the time points of body balance adjustment, the degree of phase synchronization of the datasets screened by PLV is more obvious, improving the effective information expression of the subsequent EEG data segments. The FBN topological structures of the wPLI show that the connectivity of various brain regions changes structurally as the difficulty of human balance tasks increases. The frontal lobe area is the core brain region for information integration. When vision or proprioception is obstructed, the EEG synchronization level of the corresponding occipital lobe area or central area decreases. The synchronization level of the frontal lobe area increases, which strengthens the synergistic effect among the brain regions and compensates for the imbalanced response caused by the lack of sensory information. These results show the brain regional characteristics of the process of human balance regulation under different balance paradigms, providing new insights into endogenous neural mechanisms of standing balance and methods of constructing brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhizeng Luo
- Institute of Intelligent Control and Robotics, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, China;
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Lai J, Ye Y, Huang D, Zhang X. Age-related differences in the capacity and neuromuscular control of the foot core system during quiet standing. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14522. [PMID: 37872662 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
The foot core system is essential for upright stability. However, aging-induced changes in the foot core function remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to examine age-related differences in postural stability from the perspective of foot core capacity and neuromuscular control during quiet standing. Thirty-six older and 25 young adults completed foot core capacity tests including toe flexion strength, muscle ultrasonography, and plantar cutaneous sensitivity. The center of pressure (COP) and electromyography (EMG) of abductor hallucis (ABH), peroneus longus (PL), tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (GM) were simultaneously recorded during double-leg and single-leg standing (SLS). EMG data were used to calculate muscle synergy and intermuscular coherence across three frequency bands. Compared to young adults, older adults exhibited thinner hallucis flexors, weaker toe strength, and lower plantar cutaneous sensitivity. The ABH thickness and plantar cutaneous sensitivity were negatively associated with the COP mean peak velocity in older adults, but not in young adults. Besides, older adults had higher cocontraction of muscles spanning the arch (ABH-PL) and ankle (TA-GM), and had lower beta- and gamma-band coherence of the ABH-PL and TA-PL during SLS. Foot core capacities became compromised with advancing age, and the balance control of older adults was susceptible to foot core than young adults in balance tasks. To compensate for the weakened foot core, older adults may adopt arch and ankle stiffening strategies via increasing muscle cocontraction. Furthermore, coherence analysis indicated that aging may increase the demand for cortical brain resources during SLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Lai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinyan Ye
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongfeng Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Rehabilitation Medicine and Translation, Guangdong, China
| | - Xianyi Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory of Sensing Technology and Biomedical Instrument of Guangdong Province, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Grove CR, Klatt BN, Wagner AR, Anson ER. Vestibular perceptual testing from lab to clinic: a review. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1265889. [PMID: 37859653 PMCID: PMC10583719 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1265889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Not all dizziness presents as vertigo, suggesting other perceptual symptoms for individuals with vestibular disease. These non-specific perceptual complaints of dizziness have led to a recent resurgence in literature examining vestibular perceptual testing with the aim to enhance clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. Recent evidence supports incorporating rehabilitation methods to retrain vestibular perception. This review describes the current field of vestibular perceptual testing from scientific laboratory techniques that may not be clinic friendly to some low-tech options that may be more clinic friendly. Limitations are highlighted suggesting directions for additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin R. Grove
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Brooke N. Klatt
- Physical Therapy Department, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrew R. Wagner
- Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Eric R. Anson
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Physical Therapy Department, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
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Wagner AR, Kobel MJ, Merfeld DM. Increased roll tilt thresholds are associated with subclinical postural instability in asymptomatic adults aged 21 to 84 years. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1207711. [PMID: 37637958 PMCID: PMC10448770 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1207711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Balance assessments that intentionally alter the reliability of visual and proprioceptive feedback (e.g., standing on foam with eyes closed) have become a standard approach for identifying vestibular mediated balance dysfunction in older adults. However, such assessments cannot discern which specific element of the vestibular system (e.g., semicircular canal, otolith, or combined canal-otolith) underlies the observed age-related changes in balance performance. The present study was designed to determine the associations between specific sources of vestibular noise and quantitative measures of quiet stance postural control measured during standard "vestibular" balance conditions. Methods A group of 52 asymptomatic adults (53.21 ± 19.7, 21 to 84 years) without a history of vestibular or neurologic disorders volunteered for this study. We measured a battery of five vestibular perceptual thresholds that assay vestibular noise with predominant contributions from the vertical canals, lateral canals, utricles, saccules, and the centrally integrated canal-otolith signal. In addition, participants completed two standard balance assessments that were each designed to prioritize the use of vestibular cues for quiet stance postural control-eyes closed on foam (Condition 4 of the Modified Romberg Balance Test) and eyes closed, on a sway referenced support surface (Condition 5 of the Sensory Organization Test). Results In age adjusted models, we found strong positive associations between roll tilt vestibular thresholds, a measure of noise in the centrally integrated canal-otolith signal, and the root mean square distance (RMSD) of the anteroposterior and mediolateral center of pressure (CoP) captured during eyes closed stance on a sway referenced support surface. The strength of the association between roll tilt thresholds and the RMSD of the CoP was between 3-times and 30-times larger than the association between postural sway and each of the other vestibular thresholds measured. Conclusion We posit that noise in the centrally estimated canal-otolith "tilt" signal may be the primary driver of the subclinical postural instability experienced by older adults during the "vestibular" conditions of balance assessments. Additional testing in adults with clinical balance impairment are needed to identify if roll tilt thresholds may also serve as a surrogate metric by which to detect vestibular mediated balance dysfunction and/or fall risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Wagner
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Megan J. Kobel
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Daniel M. Merfeld
- Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Chen HL, Tan CT, Wu CC, Liu TC. Effects of Diet and Lifestyle on Audio-Vestibular Dysfunction in the Elderly: A Literature Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224720. [PMID: 36432406 PMCID: PMC9698578 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The world's age-related health concerns continue to rise. Audio-vestibular disorders, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo, are common complaints in the elderly and are associated with social and public health burdens. Various preventative measures can ease their impact, including healthy food consumption, nutritional supplementation, and lifestyle modification. We aim to provide a comprehensive summary of current possible strategies for preventing the age-related audio-vestibular dysfunction. METHODS A PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane review databases search was conducted to identify the relationship between diet, lifestyle, and audio-vestibular dysfunction. "Diet", "nutritional supplement", "lifestyle", "exercise", "physical activity", "tinnitus", "vertigo" and "age-related hearing loss" were used as keywords. RESULTS Audio-vestibular dysfunction develops and progresses as a result of age-related inflammation and oxidative stress. Diets with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects have been proposed to alleviate this illness. A high-fat diet may induce oxidative stress and low protein intake is associated with hearing discomfort in the elderly. Increased carbohydrate and sugar intake positively correlate with the incidence of audio-vestibular dysfunction, whereas a Mediterranean-style diet can protect against the disease. Antioxidants in the form of vitamins A, C, and E; physical activity; good sleep quality; smoking cessation; moderate alcohol consumption; and avoiding noise exposure are also beneficial. CONCLUSIONS Adequate diet or nutritional interventions with lifestyle modification may protect against developing audio-vestibular dysfunction in elderly individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Lin Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ting Tan
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Chi Wu
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu 302, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.W.); (T.-C.L.)
| | - Tien-Chen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.W.); (T.-C.L.)
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Gabriel GA, Harris LR, Henriques DYP, Pandi M, Campos JL. Multisensory visual-vestibular training improves visual heading estimation in younger and older adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:816512. [PMID: 36092809 PMCID: PMC9452741 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.816512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Self-motion perception (e.g., when walking/driving) relies on the integration of multiple sensory cues including visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive signals. Changes in the efficacy of multisensory integration have been observed in older adults (OA), which can sometimes lead to errors in perceptual judgments and have been associated with functional declines such as increased falls risk. The objectives of this study were to determine whether passive, visual-vestibular self-motion heading perception could be improved by providing feedback during multisensory training, and whether training-related effects might be more apparent in OAs vs. younger adults (YA). We also investigated the extent to which training might transfer to improved standing-balance. OAs and YAs were passively translated and asked to judge their direction of heading relative to straight-ahead (left/right). Each participant completed three conditions: (1) vestibular-only (passive physical motion in the dark), (2) visual-only (cloud-of-dots display), and (3) bimodal (congruent vestibular and visual stimulation). Measures of heading precision and bias were obtained for each condition. Over the course of 3 days, participants were asked to make bimodal heading judgments and were provided with feedback (“correct”/“incorrect”) on 900 training trials. Post-training, participants’ biases, and precision in all three sensory conditions (vestibular, visual, bimodal), and their standing-balance performance, were assessed. Results demonstrated improved overall precision (i.e., reduced JNDs) in heading perception after training. Pre- vs. post-training difference scores showed that improvements in JNDs were only found in the visual-only condition. Particularly notable is that 27% of OAs initially could not discriminate their heading at all in the visual-only condition pre-training, but subsequently obtained thresholds in the visual-only condition post-training that were similar to those of the other participants. While OAs seemed to show optimal integration pre- and post-training (i.e., did not show significant differences between predicted and observed JNDs), YAs only showed optimal integration post-training. There were no significant effects of training for bimodal or vestibular-only heading estimates, nor standing-balance performance. These results indicate that it may be possible to improve unimodal (visual) heading perception using a multisensory (visual-vestibular) training paradigm. The results may also help to inform interventions targeting tasks for which effective self-motion perception is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace A. Gabriel
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laurence R. Harris
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Denise Y. P. Henriques
- Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Maryam Pandi
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Campos
- KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Jennifer L. Campos,
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