Search

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the audiology students' opinions regarding their occupational perspective and their future expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study included 608 participants consisting of undergraduate and graduate students. Two question forms were used in the study. "Audiology students' opinions regarding their occupational perspective during the COVID-19 pandemic" containing 10 questions and "Audiology students' opinions regarding their future expectations" containing 8 questions were assessed.Results: While the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect employment opportunities in the field of audiology, it significantly contributed to the increase of professional risks. Online education did not contribute to the learning process and professional competencies. More graduate students stated that the COVID-19 did not affect employment opportunities and increased professional risks but facilitated access to information compared to undergraduate students (p < .05). Undergraduate students stated that COVID-19 contributed more to the reconsideration of career plans and opinions about the profession compared to graduate students (p < .05). COVID-19 pandemic had a more negative effect on graduate students' future expectations compared to undergraduate students (p < .05).Conclusion: To our view, the COVID-19 pandemic negatively influenced the occupational perspective of audiology students but did not affect their future expectations. While this process affected the career plan and perspective on the audiology profession of undergraduate students, it negatively impacted the professional risk perception and future expectations of graduate students.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new auditory training (AT) program on the speech recognition in the noise and on the auditory event-related potentials in elderly hearing aid users. Methods: Thirty-three elderly individuals using hearing aids aged from 60 to 80 years participated. A new AT program was developed for the study. AT program lasts for 8 weeks and includes sound discrimination exercises and cognitive exercises. Seventeen individuals (mean age 72.17 ± 6.94) received AT and 16 individuals (mean age 71.75 ± 6.81) did not receive AT. The mismatch negativity (MMN) test and matrix test were used to evaluate the effectiveness of AT. Tests were conducted for the study group before and after the AT. The tests were carried out for the control group at the same times with the study group and the results were compared. Results: In comparison with the first evaluation, the last evaluation of the study group demonstrated a significant difference regarding the decrease of mean latency in the MMN wave (p = 0.038), and regarding the improving score of matrix test (p = 0.004), there was no difference in the control group. Conclusion: The AT program prepared for the study was effective in improving speech recognition in noise in the elderly, and the efficiency of AT could be demonstrated with MMN and matrix test.

The aim of this study was to evaluate postural stability with Nintendo Wii-Fit Plus in children with special learning disabilities (SLD) and also to investigate the effect of simultaneous cognitive...

Aim: The evaluation of the effects of age at cochlear implantation on balance in children. Research design: Cross-sectional study. Study sample: Twenty children who received their cochlear implants (CI) before the chronologic age of 48 months (Early CI Group), and 20 children who received their CI at 48 months chronologic age or later (Late CI Group). Intervention: All children underwent Tandem Romberg (TR) test, Single-Leg stance (SLS) test, Pediatric Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction for Balance (P-CTSIB), Pediatric Balance scale (PBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Data collection and analysis: The scores of TR, SLS and P-CTSIB and TUG tests and PBS were recorded. Mann Whitney U test and Independent-samples t-test were used to compare data between groups. Results: TR (eyes opened-EO), SLS (EO), PBS, and TUG scores and incidence in dizziness symptoms did not show significant differences between the groups ( p > 0.05). Duration of TR and SLS tests (eyes closed-EC), P-CTSIB-positions 5, and 6 were significantly longer in the Early CI Group than the Late implanted group( p Conclusion: Although the age of cochlear implantation did not affect functional balance for children, it has been found to cause impaired balance performance in difficult static conditions and increased frequency of dizziness.

The aim of this study is to investigate auditory brainstem response (ABR) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) accompanied by tinnitus and to suggest possible interpretative hypotheses. Ninety individuals were included in the study. Individuals were separated into three groups: patients reporting tinnitus with BPPV (Group I), patients with BPPV (Group II), and a control group. The ABR test was applied at a low and at a high rate. For patients reporting tinnitus with BPPV, tinnitus was found to be localized in the ear affected by BPPV. Tinnitus disappeared after therapeutic interventions in 23 individuals with tinnitus. The difference between the Wave V latency at high rate and Wave V latency at a low rate in the affected ears of all individuals with BPPV (Groups I and II) was significantly long. In the affected ears of all BPPV patients, at a high rate of ABR, the absolute latency of the Wave III was found to be significantly longer than for the control group. Individuals with BPPV showed prolonged latencies in affected ears in a high rate of ABR without the effect of tinnitus. High rate of ABR in individuals with BPPV can be used to obtain preliminary information in cases where ischemia in the auditory pathways is suspected in BPPV formation.

To evaluate ordinary behavioral pattern suppression performance of individuals with tinnitus under disruptive effect using Stroop Color Word Interference Test-TBAG Form (SCWT), and to determine the impact of acoustic stimulus on this performance. 40 individuals with subjective tinnitus at Slight and higher severity according to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) (16 females, 24 males; mean age: 42.02 ± 10.00) (Study group), and 40 healthy individuals (Control group) (18 females, 22 males; mean age: 38.85 ± 10.25) were included in this study. All individuals were subjected to audiological evaluation. SCWT was applied with and without acoustic stimulus (NB noise), and test completion durations were recorded. It was determined that the duration for completion of 5 sections of SCWT, both in the presence of and without acoustic stimulus, was longer in the Study group than the control group. In the presence of acoustic stimulus, it took longer for the individuals with tinnitus to complete sections 4 and 5, and the control group to complete sections 3, 4 and 5 in SCWT in comparison with the lack of acoustic stimulus. It was determined that SCWT performance of the individuals with tinnitus was worse than the individuals without tinnitus, both in the presence of and without acoustic stimulus. It was found that SCWT performances of both groups with acoustic stimulus were better than their test performances without acoustic stimulus.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate cochlear functions and auditory disability in industrial workers exposed to occupational noise (IWEON).Method: A total of 30 normal hearing male wor...

Purpose: Vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) may be helpful in the diagnosis of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) can effectively diagnose VOR deficits in vestibular disorders. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the significance of vHIT in determining the efficacy of therapeutic maneuvers in individuals with posterior semicircular canal BPPV. Materials and Methods: The study included 25 patients with posterior SCC BPPV (Study Group) between the ages of 19-65 years, 30 healthy individuals (Control Group). All individuals underwent otorhinolaryngologic examination, audiological evaluation with, videonystagmography and vHIT. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were administered to the individuals with posterior SCC BPPV for the intensity of dizziness and Modified Epley maneuver was performed 3 times at an interval of 3 days. The vHIT, DHI and VAS were re-administered to these individuals 1 week after improvement was detected in positional nystagmus. Results: There was no significant difference between the study and control groups in terms of vHIT gains for all bilateral SCCs before therapeutic maneuver (p>0.05). In the study group, there was no significant difference between vHIT gains of all bilateral SSCs before and after therapeutic maneuvers (p>0.05). No asymmetry or refixation saccades (overt and covert) were observed in any of the individuals in both groups during all measurements. Compared to before therapeutic maneuvers, there was a significant decrease in dizziness-related disability level assessed by DHI and intensity of dizziness assessed by VAS in the study group after the improvement (p

Objective: To evaluate high-frequency (HF) audiometry in subjects with unilateral subjective tinnitus and normal pure tone thresholds (≤25 dB HL) at 0.25-8 kHz.Materials and methods: The st...

Background and purpose - Our objectives were to determine the differences in the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses in patients diagnosed with early staged idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to the normal population and evaluate the vestibular system disorder causing balance-posture disorders. Second aim of this study was to investigate caloric test responses particularly in early staged PD compared to normal popu-lation. Methods Thirty patients (14 females and 16 males; mean age, 60.6 ± 13.1 years) diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 28 healthy subjects (20 males and 8 females; mean age, 59.1 ± 6.4 years) were included. The patient and control groups were subdivided according to their age, gender and the patient group was subdivided according to onset time of the Parkinson symptoms, Hoehn-Yahr staging. The subgroups were compared for VEMP and caloric test responses. Results There were no significant differences between the study and control groups for right and left VEMP measurements. Patients over 60 years and under 60 years did not show significant differences in terms of right and left mean VEMP measurements. However, P1 amplitude was significantly lower in patients over 60 years old (P = .004). Gender, disease duration, BERG balance scale and Hoehn-Yahr stage had no effect on the VEMP amplitudes. There was no significant correlation with the side of Parkinsonian symptoms to the side of canal paresis (P = .566) and the side on which no VEMP response was obtained in caloric test. Conclusion VEMP responses were not different between PD and healthy subjects. VEMP P1 amplitude was decreased with age in PD group. Canal paresis and symptoms side were not statistically correlated in caloric test.

Objective: To investigate the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Mini-Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ 12-T).Methods: The study consisted of 120 patients with tinnitus (60 F + 60 M; Mean Age: 46.8±15.1 years). Audiological evaluation, tinnitus mapping, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and TQ 12-T were applied to the participants. Internal consistency and reliability were assessed by Cronbach’s alpha. To evaluate the accuracy of the original findings, a retest was performed with 20% of the participants. The validity of the TQ 12-T was assessed, analyzing the correlation with THI. We assessed construct validity by analyzing the patients according to their age and tinnitus duration.Results: High internal consistency, reliability (α=0.87) and a high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 0.96, p < 0.001) were found. The internal consistency reliabilities of the two subscales were α=0.74 and α= 0.84 for “health anxiety” and “cognitive distress,” respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between THI and TQ 12-T total scores (r=0.985, p

Our objectives were to determine the differences in the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses in patients diagnosed with early staged idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to the normal population and evaluate the vestibular system disorder causing balance-posture disorders. Second aim of this study was to investigate caloric test responses particularly in early staged PD compared to normal popu-lation.Thirty patients (14 females and 16 males; mean age, 60.6 ± 13.1 years) diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 28 healthy subjects (20 males and 8 females; mean age, 59.1 ± 6.4 years) were included. The patient and control groups were subdivided according to their age, gender and the patient group was subdivided according to onset time of the Parkinson symptoms, Hoehn-Yahr staging. The subgroups were compared for VEMP and caloric test responses.There were no significant differences between the study and control groups for right and left VEMP measurements. Patients over 60 years and under 60 years did not show significant differences in terms of right and left mean VEMP measurements. However, P1 amplitude was significantly lower in patients over 60 years old (P = .004). Gender, disease duration, BERG balance scale and Hoehn-Yahr stage had no effect on the VEMP amplitudes. There was no significant correlation with the side of Parkinsonian symptoms to the side of canal paresis (P = .566) and the side on which no VEMP response was obtained in caloric test.VEMP responses were not different between PD and healthy subjects. VEMP P1 amplitude was decreased with age in PD group. Canal paresis and symptoms side were not statistically correlated in caloric test.A vizsgálat célja az volt, hogy megállapítsuk, milyen különbség van a Parkinson-kór korai stádiumában szenvedők és az egészséges populáció tagjai esetén a vestibularis kiváltott myogen válaszokban (VEMP), valamint azonosítsuk az egyensúly- és testtartászavart okozó vestibularis problémát. További cél a kalorikus ingerlés által kiváltott válasz különbségeinek megfigyelése volt.Harminc, idiopathiás Parkinson-kórban szenvedő beteget (14 nő és 16 férfi; átlagos életkor: 60,6 ± 13,1 év) és 28 egészséges kontrollszemélyt (nyolc nő és 20 férfi; átlagos életkor: 59,1 ± 6,4) vontunk be a vizsgálatba. A beteg- és a kontrollcsoportban alcsoportokat alakítottunk ki életkor és nem alapján, a betegcsoportban további alcsoportokat alakítottunk ki a parkinsonos tünetek jelentkezési ideje és a Hoehn-Yahr-stádium alapján. Összehasonlítottuk az alcsoportok VEMP- és kalorikus válaszait.Nem volt szignifikáns különbség kimutatható a két csoport között a jobb és a bal oldali VEMP-értékekben. Nem volt szignifikáns különbség kimutatható a 60 évesnél idősebb és a 60 évesnél fiatalabb betegek körében mért jobb és bal oldali VEMP-értékek esetén. Mindazonáltal, a P1 amplitúdó szignifikánsan alacso­nyabb volt a 60 évesnél idősebb betegek körében (p = 0,004). A VEMP-amplitúdót nem befolyásolta sem a nem, sem a betegség fennállásának időtartama, sem a BERG egyensúlyskála értéke, sem a Hoehn-Yahr-stádium. Nem volt szignifikáns összefüggés a parkinsonos tünetek oldali­sága és az ívjáratparesis oldala (p = 0,566), illetve aközött, hogy melyik oldalon nem volt VEMP-válasz a kalorikus ingerlés során.Nem volt különbség a Parkinson-kóros és az egészséges kontrollszemélyek VEMP-válasza között. A Parkinson-kóros betegek körében az életkor előreha­ladtával csökkent a VEMP P1 amplitúdó. Az ívjáratparesis oldala a kalorikus ingerlés során nem mutatott összefüggést a tünetek oldaliságával.

Corrections proposed to be made in the final version were transferred by mistake to the online article. The original article has been corrected. In the original publication of the article, under the abstract, the following sentence.

Amac: Bu calisma; afazili bireylerde Afazi Dil Degerlendirme Testi sonuclari ile ambulasyon duzeyi ve fonksiyonel bagimsizlik arasindaki iliskinin degerlendirilmesi amaciyla planlandi. Hastalar ve Yontemler: Inme sonrasi konusma bozuklugu sikayeti bulunan bireylerin dosyalari incelenerek demografik veriler ve hastalik ile ilgili bilgiler kaydedildi. Bireylerin fonksiyonel bagimsizlik seviyesinin belirlenmesinde; Fonksiyonel Bagimsizlik Olcegi FIM , ambulasyon duzeyinin belirlenmesinde; Fonksiyonel Ambulasyon Skalasi FAS ve afazi degerlendirmesinde Afazi Dil Degerlendirme Testi ADD kullanildi. Bulgular: Bireylerin yas ortalamalari 57.4±8.8 yil olup, 11’i %23.4 kadin ve 36’si %76.6 erkekti. ADD puanlari ve yas arasinda istatistiksel olarak anlamli negatif orta duzeyde korelasyon saptandi p

Background/aim Fear of falling frequently reported by older individuals and is an important health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fear of falling on balance, dual task performance, physical activity level and the quality of life on the aged people. Setting Elderly care facilities. Participants 60 elderly individuals aged 65 and over were included. 30 individuals with fear of falling were included in the study group and 30 individuals without fear of falling were included in the control group. Measurements Fall Efficiency Scale International (FES I) was used to determine the fear of falling. Balance tests i.e. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Time Up and Go Test (TUG) were applied to all individuals. Dual-task performance was evaluated by asking each person to perform motor (TUGmotor) and cognitive tasks (TUGcognitive) simultaneously with TUG. Evaluation of physical activity was conducted by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and assessment of the quality of life was determined by the EuroQol-5 Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D). Results The scores of BBS, TUG, PASE, EQ-5D and POMA (balance and gait subscores) of the aged who have a fear of falling were significantly different from the control group (p Conclusion There were in deterioration in balance, dual task performance and quality of life and a decrease in physical activity level in elderly individuals in elderly with fear of falling.

Purpose Hearing is an important sensory skill for psychomotor development. As the cochlea and vestibule share the membranous labyrinth of the inner ear, children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) may have vestibular dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate static, dynamic, functional balance, and mobility as a whole in children with SNHL. Material and methods Eighty children, 40 with bilateral severe-to-profound SNHL (20 children between the ages of 6–10 were included in the Group 1, and 20 children between the ages of 11–15 were included in the Group 2) and 40 with normal-hearing (the Group 3 included 20 children between the ages of 6–10 and the Group 4 of 20 children between the ages of 11–15) were included in the study. The Single-Leg Stance (SLS) Test, Functional Reach Test (FRT), Time Up and Go (TUG) Test, and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) were used to evaluate the balance skills of children. Results The present study found out that children with SNHL in both age groups performed worse than those with normal-hearing in FRT, SLS, and PBS. In the TUG test, children with SNHL in the younger age group had lower performance compared to their peers with normal-hearing while the TUG performance of children with SNHL in the older age group was similar to their normal-hearing peers. Conclusion It was concluded that the static, dynamic and functional balance skills of children with SNHL were impaired compared to their normal-hearing peers. Including balance assessment in the routine test battery in children with SNHL may be decisive for early diagnosis and rehabilitation of balance disorders. It may be beneficial to add static, dynamic and functional balance tests to the test battery in addition to mobility assessment, especially in children with SNHL in the older age groups.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the vestibular functions and dual-task performances of individuals with noise induced hearing loss. Materials and methods Fifty individuals with noise induced hearing loss and 25 healthy individuals were included in the study. Individuals with noise induced hearing loss were divided into 2 groups according to the pure tone average. Twenty-five patients with bilateral pure tone average between 20 dB HL and 40 dB HL were included in group I and 25 patients with bilateral pure tone average higher than 40 dB HL were included in group II. One-leg standing test, functional reach test, timed-up and go test, head impulse test, head shaking test, spontaneous nystagmus test and caloric test were carried out to evaluate the vestibular systems of all individuals. Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the imbalance intensity of individuals. In order to evaluate the dual-task performances of the individuals, individuals were given cognitive and motor tasks simultaneously with timed up and go test. Results Individuals in group II had more abnormal caloric responses than the control group and individuals in group I. Also, individuals with higher hearing loss exhibited worse performance than other groups in eyes-closed one-leg standing test and dual-task situations. Conclusion Individuals with higher hearing loss (>40 dB) had more abnormal vestibular test results and worse dual-task performance than other groups. Vestibular evaluation and dual-task performance evaluation of factory workers with noise induced hearing loss can provide useful information to determine the risk of falling and fall prevention strategies in these individuals.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and balance disorders are common chronic diseases seen in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate vestibular functions in individuals with OSA. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional clinical study. METHODS: Patients who were referred to the sleep clinic in our hospital were classified into two groups according to a polysomnographic test: a moderate-to-severe OSA group and a mild OSA group. A vestibular system assessment of all patients was performed subjectively with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) survey and objectively with videonystagmography. RESULTS: The current investigation produced four major findings: 1) Apnea-hypopnea index was significantly correlated with age and body mass index, whereas it was not correlated with Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. 2) There was a significant difference in study groups in terms DHI scores, particularly in the physical subgroup. Moderate-to-severe OSA patients had higher scores in the physical subgroup of DHI. 3) Nystagmus and canal paresis rates were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe OSA group when compared to the mild OSA group. 4) Results of the Romberg test, tandem Romberg test, cerebellar examinations, and positional tests were normal in both. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal vestibular responses are common in individuals suffering from severe OSA, and dizziness has negative effects on the quality of life in these individuals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2014. Language: en

Objectives: This study examines the influence of music therapy on health quality in patients with tinnitus. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on patients with subjective tinnitus. 13 patients were included in this study (6 women, 7 men; mean age=46.76±11.18). The frequency of tinnitus, severity of tinnitus, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Short Form-36 (SF-36) were applied pre and post treatments (2 and 6 months). Results: Statistically significant differences (p, Amaç: Bu çalışmada, müzik terapisinin, tinnitusu olan bireylerin yaşam kalitesi üzerinde etkisini değerlendirmek amaçlandı. Hastalar ve Yöntemler: Bu çalışmaya, subjektif tinnituslu hastalar dahil edildi (6 kadın, 7 erkek; yaş ortalaması: 46.76±11.18). Hastaların terapi öncesi ve terapiden sonra 2. ve 6. aylarda tinnitus frekansı ve şiddeti saptandı. Vizüel Analog Skala (VAS), Tinnitus Engellilik Anketi (TEA), Kısa Form-36 (KF-36) (Short Form-36 (SF-36)) ve Beck Depresyon Ölçekleri (BDÖ) uygulandı. Bulgular: Terapi öncesinde ve terapi sonrasında (2. ve 6. aylarda) elde edilen tinnitus frekansı, şiddeti, VAS (tinnitus, yüksek sesten rahatsızlık, yaşam kalitesi), TEA (emosyonel, fonksiyonel, katastrofik, toplam), BDÖ ve SK-36 parametreleri (fiziksel rol, genel sağlık, canlılık, sosyal fonksiyon, emosyonel rol ve mental sağlık) arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark elde edildi (p

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and balance disorders are common chronic diseases seen in the general population. The aim of this study was to evaluate vestibular functions in individuals with OSA.Cross-sectional clinical study.Patients who were referred to the sleep clinic in our hospital were classified into two groups according to a polysomnographic test: a moderate-to-severe OSA group and a mild OSA group. A vestibular system assessment of all patients was performed subjectively with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) survey and objectively with videonystagmography.The current investigation produced four major findings: 1) Apnea-hypopnea index was significantly correlated with age and body mass index, whereas it was not correlated with Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. 2) There was a significant difference in study groups in terms DHI scores, particularly in the physical subgroup. Moderate-to-severe OSA patients had higher scores in the physical subgroup of DHI. 3) Nystagmus and canal paresis rates were significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe OSA group when compared to the mild OSA group. 4) Results of the Romberg test, tandem Romberg test, cerebellar examinations, and positional tests were normal in both.Abnormal vestibular responses are common in individuals suffering from severe OSA, and dizziness has negative effects on the quality of life in these individuals.4

Introduction: We aimed to compose a Turkish version of Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (T-AIADH) and investigate validity and reliability of T-AIADH. Methods: A total of 240 individuals were included in the study. They were divided into two groups. Individuals with hearing disability constituted the study group (n = 120), and 120 normal-hearing individuals constituted the control group. Results: The reliability analysis of 30 items in all study population yielded a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.98. All Cronbach's alpha coefficients obtained in 5 domains of T-AIADH were above 0.90. For 5-domain scores, intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated very good test–retest reliability. There were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups in terms of the mean scores of each of the 30 items in the questionnaire (P < 0.01). The mean scores of each of the five domains of T-AIADH were statistically significantly different between the study and control groups (P < 0.01). Criterion analysis showed positive correlations between the domain scores and the average of hearing thresholds (0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz) in the study group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The T-AIADH has a high internal consistency and test–retest reliability. T-AIADH can differentiate the individuals with hearing loss from the individuals with normal hearing. T-AIADH is composed of easily understandable questions, and it may be used to analyze hearing disability for screening purposes or as an adjunctive test to audiological tests in Turkish-speaking patients.

Falls present a substantial health problem among the elderly population. Approximately one-third of community-dwelling people over 65 years of age will experience one or more each year. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate balance between fallers and non-fallers elderly. Study Design: Clinical study. METHODS: We studied 30 subjects older than 65 years of age. 15 subjects had a history of falls within a year (Group I) and 15 subjects had no history of falls (Group II). The scores of Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP); Sensory Organization Test (SOT), Limits of Stability (LOS), Rhytmic Weight Shift (RWS) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) findings gathered from the individuals from Group I and Group II, were compared. RESULTS: The SOT 3, 6, composite, BBS scores and left-right on-axis velocity score of RWS test of the Group I were found to be significantly lower the Group II (p < 0.05). A positive correlation between the SOT 3, 5, composite and BBS scores of Group I and the SOT 4, 5, 6, composite and BBS scores of Group II is determined (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CDP and BBS scores in fallers were found to be significiantly lower as compared to the non-fallers elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Keeping balance of the upright stance is a highly practiced daily task for healthy adults and is effectively performed without overt attentional control in most. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of concurrent cognitive tasks on postural sway in healthy participants. METHODS: This was a prospective study. 20 healthy volunteer subjects were included. The cognitive and balance tasks were performed separately and then, concurrently. Postural control task consisted of 6 conditions (C) of the Sensory Organization Test. The cognitive task consisted of digit rehearsal task of varying presentation and varying levels of difficulty. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was noted between dual task and no task for C1, C2, C3 and C4 Sensory Organization Test scores ( p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between dual task versus non-task for C5, C6 and combined Sensory Organization Test scores ( p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: During dual task, increase has been determined in postural sway for C1, C2, C3 and C4 for all presentation modes and difficulty levels of the cognitive tasks. RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: Manter o equilíbrio na postura vertical é uma tarefa cotidiana constantemente praticada por adultos saudáveis, e é efetivamente realizada pela maioria sem a necessidade de um controle atencional. OBJETIVO: A finalidade deste estudo foi examinar a influência de tarefas cognitivas concomitantes no equilíbrio postural de indivíduos saudáveis. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo em que participaram 20 voluntários saudáveis. As tarefas cognitivas e de equilíbrio foram realizadas separadamente; e em seguida, realizadas simultaneamente. A tarefa de controle postural consistiu em seis condições (C) do Teste de Organização Sensorial (TOS). A tarefa cognitiva consistiu na repetição de dígitos com apresentações variadas e vários níveis de dificuldade. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os escores do TOS para as condições C1, C2, C3 e C4 para "dupla tarefa" vs. "não tarefa" (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os escores do TOS para as condições C5 e C6 e para a combinação dos escores do TOS para "dupla tarefa" vs. "não tarefa" (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Durante a realização de dupla tarefa, foram determinados aumentos na oscilação postural para as condições C1, C2, C3 e C4 para todos os modos de apresentação e níveis de dificuldade das tarefas cognitivas.