This study aims to provide a novel scientific contribution through addressing critical knowledge gaps, examining the effects of attentional focus instructions on real-time (state) conscious movement processing propensity, gait parameters, and muscle efficiency in older adults in Hong Kong at risk of falling while walking in a challenging environment. The study results could update our scientific understanding of the mechanisms of conscious movement processing and the interventional effects of attentional focus instructions in older adults. It could ultimately enhance the methodology used for developing the most appropriate psychomotor gait re-education intervention in rehabilitation and provide clear guidelines on the exact attentional focus training that older adults require. Further, it could mitigate the effect of conscious movement processing and risk of falling in older adults.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
106
All participants will complete a series of walking trials. They will first be requested to perform three practice walks followed by three walking trials on a 7.4m straight level-ground firm walkway (GW) and the other three walking trials on a 7.4m straight foam walkway (FW) in a randomised order. The dimension of the foam walkway in the FW will be 8m (length), 0.8m (width), and 0.3m (height). The starting and finishing lines of the FW will be positioned at 0.3m from each side of the FW's edges. Thus, the lengths of the FW and the GW will be identical (i.e., 7.4m). Participants will be asked to walk 7.4m and stop for each walking trial. After a 10-minute rest break, participants will perform nine walking trials on the GW and the other nine walking trials on the FW, including three repetitions of three different attentional focus instructions (external focus \[EF\], internal focus \[IF\], and no specific focus \[NF\]) in the GW and FW in a randomised order.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, China
Real-time (state) conscious movement processing propensity
It will be measured by the Alpha2 EEG T3-Fz coherence.
Time frame: Day 0
Gait speed
It will be measured by the 3-D motion-capture system in the unit of meter per second (m/s).
Time frame: Day 0
Body sway
It will be measured by the 3-D motion-capture system in the unit of millimeter (mm).
Time frame: Day 0
Stride length
It will be measured by the 3-D motion-capture system in the unit of meter (m).
Time frame: Day 0
Stride-to-stride variability
It will be measured by the 3-D motion-capture system by the coefficients of variation (CV).
Time frame: Day 0
Muscle efficiency
It will be measured by the surface electromyography (EMG).
Time frame: Day 0
Walking ability
It will be measured by the Timed 'Up \& Go' tests.
Time frame: Day 0
Balance ability
It will be measured by the Berg Balance Scale. The minimum value of the scale is 0 and the maximum value is 56. Higher score represents better balance ability.
Time frame: Day 0
Fear of falling
It will be measured by the Chinese version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International. The minimum value of the scale is 16 and the maximum value is 64. Higher score represents higher fear of falling.
Time frame: Day 0
Trait conscious movement processing propensity
It will be measured by the Chinese version of the Movement-Specific Reinvestment Scale. The minimum value of the scale is 10 and the maximum value is 60. Higher score represents higher trait conscious movement processing propensity.
Time frame: Day 0
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