Conscious motor processing could impair movements by disrupting automatic movement control while external focus strategy has been proposed to potentially reduce real-time conscious motor processing in older adults during adaptive locomotion. This study aimed to examine the immediate impact of walking training with different attention focus instructions on real-time conscious motor processing in older adults at risk of falling. One hundred and two older adults (mean age: 75.2±6.8) were included in this primary outcome analysis. Participants were randomly assigned to the no attention focus walking group (NAFWG: n=34), external attention focus walking group (EAFWG: n=34), or internal attention focus walking group (IAFWG: n=34). All groups underwent 12 training sessions, including a 20-minute walking training along a 40-meter walkway at self-selected pace with distinct walking instructions. Assessments were conducted at baseline (T0) and immediately post-training (T1). Electroencephalography (EEG) T3-Fz coherence was used to indicate real-time conscious motor processing. Series of 3 (Group: NAFWG, EAFWG, IAFWG) x 2 (Time: T0, T1) ANOVA with repeated measures were conducted. We observed a significant Group x Time interaction effect on EEG T3-Fz coherence (F[2, 95] = 4.60, p = 0.01, ηp2 = 0.09). Post hoc comparisons revealed only EAFWG showed significant reduction in EEG T3-Fz coherence at T1 compared to T0 (t[32] = 2.58, p = 0.02). Our primary outcome analysis discovered a reduction on real-time conscious motor processing in older adults immediately after gait training with external focus instructions. Further analysis is needed to examine potential long-term impacts and their contribution to fall risks.

Authors:
Wai Lung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Toby C. T. Mak, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Melody C. Y. Leung, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Minghua M. H. Cao, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
Shamay S. M. Ng, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Wai Lung, Thomson Wong is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in China

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