Age and attentional focus instructions effects on postural and supra-postural tasks among older adults with mild cognitive impairments

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the age and attentional focus instruction effects on the postural and supra-postural tasks among older adults with mild cognitive impairments. Method Forty healthy adults (mean age of 48.01 +/- 5.45 years) and 40 older adults with mild cognitive impairments (mean age of 69.87 +/- 4.28 years) were selected as participants. They were randomly divided into eight groups receiving internal and external attentional focus instructions for postural and supra-postural tasks. The postural status was evaluated by measuring the COP sway velocity with the Master Balance System. Results The results showed that in both phases of acquisition and retention, the main effect of the attentional focus type was significant (P < 0.05). The group's postural control with external attentional instructions was better than the group's postural control with internal attentional instructions. Furthermore, the CI elderly gained benefit from the guidelines of attentional focus. Results showed that the task type was not significant in the acquisition phase. However, in the retention phase, the main effect of the attentional focus type was significant. The groups' postural function with the supra-postural task was better than the groups with the postural task. Furthermore, the older adults showed a better postural function in the supra-postural task than in the postural task. Conclusions Our results showed that the ability to allocate resources of attention may decrease with CI. These findings suggest that considering the effect of the supra-postural tasks' manipulation on postural control, it is possible to improve balance by designing training programs for directing supra-postural tasks. The findings of the present study can be a guide for educators and therapists. They can increase the balance of the patients by considering the dysfunction and the type of attentional guidelines to prevent them from falling and performing a dual task.

Automated summary

This study investigated the effects of age and attentional focus instruction on postural and supra-postural tasks among older adults with mild cognitive impairments. The results showed that external attentional focus instruction had a positive impact on postural control, and supra-postural tasks were more beneficial for postural function compared to postural tasks. Therefore, designing training programs with supra-postural tasks can improve balance in older adults with mild cognitive impairments.