Supervisors info:
Μπίμπας Αθανάσιος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ, Επιβλέπων
Bamiou Doris-Eva , DoH HEFCE Clinical Senior Lecturer & Consultant in Audiovestibular Medicine, UCL Ear Institute & NHNN
Μαραγκουδάκης Παύλος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
Τhis pilot study, investigated the relationship between body balance and cognitive function, when hearing loss is present. The effect of hearing and cognitive functions on maintaining balance was studied in 8 subjects with SNHL with average hearing threshold 60-75dB, aged 65-83 years old, without any vestibular disorders or orthopedic and neurological issues. We asked from the subjects to maintain their balance on a WBB platform while we tested them on two auditory tasks, the first one easy and the second one difficult, without using their hearing aids. The outcome data of balance and cognitive test, were statistically analyzed using Repeated Measures Anova method and Pair t-test, respectively. The outcome measures for balance estimation were mean, max, length and max/los parameters for the three body movements x, y and xy. As far as the cognitive part is concerned we just estimated the accuracy rate of the responses. The results partially, showed that balance was not affected by the simultaneous cognitive loads, though a kind of given priority to cognitive process did appear at the expense of maintaining balance, during the performance of the auditory test. Regarding cognitive part, there was no statistically significant difference between the trials, apart from the two trials performed out of the WBB platform, which was interpreted as a consequence of the neurosensory hearing impairment and hence the small dynamic range, age and education level of the group. In conclusion, it can be said that when cognitive test were performed – both easy and difficult- the balance of the body was not statistically significantly affected, and therefore the possibilities of falling for this group are very low. We assume that the same, may be true for the general population, however, the large values in specific parameters that were measured in x axis, can be a starting point for further investigation, along with a larger sample, so that safer results can be achieved.
Keywords:
Balance, Fall, Cognitive loads, Auditory tests, Hearing loss, Visual cues, Auditory cues, Sway, Centre of gravity
