Awdhan AP, Bone MD, Lanovaz JL, Moraes R, Oates AR. Are there attentional demands associated with haptic modalities while walking in young, healthy adults?
Hum Mov Sci 2019;
66:399-406. [PMID:
31170678 DOI:
10.1016/j.humov.2019.05.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
A prospective, observational study.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the attentional demands of using haptic modalities during walking using a multi-task paradigm in young, healthy adults.
SETTING
Biomechanics of Balance and Movement (BBAM) Lab, University of Saskatchewan.
METHODS
Twenty-two (12 male) young, healthy adults performed walking trials with and without a verbal reaction time (VRT) task, as well as with and without the use of haptic anchors and light touch on a railing. Walking performance was evaluated using normalized stride velocity and step width, and dynamic stability was evaluated using step width variability and medial-lateral margin of stability (ML MOS) and its variability.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in VRT when walking with and without added haptic input and no interactions between the added VRT task and added haptic input. Step width increased and variability of the ML MOS increased during trials with the VRT task compared to trials without the VRT task. The ML MOS decreased when using both haptic tools with a greater decrease when using light touch on the railing compared to when using the haptic anchors. Normalized stride velocity and step width decreased when using light touch on the railing only.
CONCLUSION
Both haptic tools affected stability during walking. Using the railing to add haptic input had a greater effect on walking stability and was the only haptic tool to affect walking performance. Attentional demands should be considered in future research and applications of adding haptic input during walking.
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