Article

This study investigated modifications to standing posture in response to elevated
postural anxiety evoked by a potential physical threat to stability. Sixteen
young adults, 16 older adults and 16 patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease
(PD) stood with or without the expectation of a threat to their posture (i.e.,
external trunk perturbation). This method allowed for the assessment of the
effects of anticipatory anxiety on standing posture associated with an
ecologically valid and direct threat to stability. Our manipulation was
successful as all participants, independent of age and disease, reported
significant increases in postural anxiety when anticipating a threat to their
posture. The trunk sway modifications observed in response to elevated postural
anxiety were dependent on age and disease. Young adults showed increased trunk
sway in both pitch and roll directions while older adults demonstrated decreased
trunk sway but only in the roll direction when standing and expecting a threat to
posture compared to standing without this threat. Individuals with PD showed no
significant changes in trunk pitch or roll sway when anticipating a threat to
posture compared to standing without this threat. Our findings suggest that the
effects of postural anxiety on postural control are dependent on the context
associated with the postural threat, and age and disease status.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS