Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sensory Reweighting: A Rehabilitative Mechanism?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology

Abstract

Falls in the elderly are dangerous, debilitating, and costly. Of the population over 65 years of age, one-third to one-half experiences falls annually; of these, half do so repeatedly. Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults and the primary cause of accidental death in those over age 85. Five percent of falls lead to a fracture, with hip fractures being the most common (greater than 200,000 annually). One in 10 of these individuals will die of complications, and 25% of survivors will never regain their previous mobility. An additional 10% of all older adults who fall will sustain other serious injuries requiring medical care, such as head injuries (?) The cost of direct care for hip fracture patients alone is now estimated to be in excess of 10 billion dollars a year.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Sturnieks L, St George R, Lord R. Balance disorders in the elderly. Neurophysiologie Clinique/Clinical Neurophysiology. 2008;38:467–478.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Tinetti M, Speechley M. Prevention of falls among the elderly. N Engl J Med. 1989;320:1055–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Magnus R. Croonian lecture. Animal posture. Proc R Soc Biol. 1925;98:339–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Roberts TDM. Neurophysiology of postural mechanisms. London: Butterworth & Co. Ltd; 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Nashner LM. Analysis of stance posture in humans. In: Towe A, Luschei E editors. Handbook of behavioral neurobiology, vol 5. Motor coordination. New York, NY: Plenum Press; 1981. pp. 527–65.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kuo AD, Zajac FE. Human standing posture: multi-joint movement strategies based on biomechanical constraints. Prog Brain Res . 1993;97:349–58.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Horak FB, Diener HC, Nashner LM. Influence of central set on human postural responses. J Neurophysiol. 1989a;62:841–53.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M. Attentional demands and postural control: the effect of sensory context. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2000;55:M10–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Whipple R. Improving balance in older adults: identifying the significant training stimuli. In: Masdeu JC, Sudarsky L, Wolfson L editors. Gait disorders of aging: falls and therapeutic strategies. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincoott-Raven; 1997. pp. 355–80.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Horak FB, Macpherson JM. Postural orientation and equilibrium. In: Shepard J, Rowell L editors. Handbook of physiology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 1996. pp. 255–92.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Horak FB, Shupert CL, Mirka A. Components of postural dyscontrol in the elderly: a review. Neurobiol Aging. 1989b;10:727–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Teasdale N, Stelmach GE, Breunig A. Postural sway characteristics of the elderly under normal and altered visual and support surface conditions. J Gerontol. 1991;46:B238–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Baloh RW, Corona S, Jacobson KM, Enrietto JA, Bell T. A prospective study of posturography in normal older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1998;46:438–43.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Baloh RW, Fife TD, Zwerling L, Socotch T, Jacobson K, Bell T, Beykirch K. Comparison of static and dynamic posturography in young and older normal people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1994;42:405–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Shepard NT, Schultz A, Alexander NB, Gu MJ, Boismier T. Postural control in young and elderly adults when stance is challenged: clinical versus laboratory measurements. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1993;102:508–17.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Whipple R, Wolfson L, Derby C, Singh D, Tobin J. Altered sensory function and balance in older persons. J Gerontol. 1993;48(Spec No):71–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Woollacott MH, Shumway-Cook A, Nashner LM. Aging and posture control: changes in sensory organization and muscular coordination. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1986;23: 97–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Wolfson L, Whipple R, Derby CA, Amerman P, Murphy T, Tobin JN, Nashner L. A dynamic posturography study of balance in healthy elderly. Neurology. 1992;42:2069–75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Anacker SL, Di Fabio RP. Influence of sensory inputs on standing balance in community-dwelling elders with a recent history of falling. Phys Ther. 1992;72:575–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Baloh RW, Spain S, Socotch TM, Jacobson KM, Bell T. Posturography and balance problems in older people. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1995;43:638–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Masdeu JC, Wolfson L, Lantos G, Tobin JN, Grober E, Whipple R, Amerman P. Brain white-matter changes in the elderly prone to falling. Arch Neurol. 1989;46:1292–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Simoneau M, Teasdale N, Bourdin C, Bard C, Fleury M, Nougier V. Aging and postural control: postural perturbations caused by changing the visual anchor. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999;47:235–40.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sundermier L, Woollacott MH, Jensen JL, Moore S. Postural sensitivity to visual flow in aging adults with and without balance problems. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 1996;51:M45–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Wolfson L (1997) Balance decrements in older persons: effects of age and disease. In: Masdeu J, et al., editors. Gait disorders of aging. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven; 1997. pp. 79–91.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Stelmach GE, Teasdale N, DiFabio RP, Phillips J. Age related decline in postural control mechanisms. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 1989;29(3):205–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Lord S, Sherrington C, Menz H, Close J. Falls in older people. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 2007.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  27. Hu MH, Woollacott MH. Multisensory training of standing balance in older adults: II. Kinematic and electromyographic postural responses. J Gerontol Med Sci. 1994;49:M62–3.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Nudo RJ, Milliken GW, Jenkins WM, Merzenich MM. Use-dependent alterations of movement representations in primary motor cortex of adult squirrel monkeys. J Neurosci. 1996;16:785–807.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Gould E, Reeves A, Graziano MS, Gross. CG. Neurogenesis in the neocortex of adult primates. Science. 1999;286:548–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Byl NN, Merzenich MM, Jenkins WM. A primate genesis model of focal dystonia and repetitive strain injury: I. Learning-induced dedifferentiation of the representation of the hand in the primary somatosensory cortex in adult monkeys. Neurology. 1996a;47(2):508–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Byl NN, Wilson F, Merzenich MM, Melnick M, Scott P, Oakes A, McKenzie A. Sensory dysfunction associated with repetitive strain injuries of tendinitis and focal hand dystonia: a comparative study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1996b;23(4):234–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Allison L. Balance disorders. In: Umphred D, editor. Neurological rehabilitation. 3rd ed. St Loius, MO: Mosby; 1995. pp. 802–37.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Shumway-Cook A, Woollacott M. Motor control: theory and clinical applications. Baltimore, MD: Williams and Wilkins; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Badke M, Shea T, Miedaner J, Grove C. Outcomes after rehabilitation for adults with balance dysfunction. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2004;85: 227–233.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Howard IP. Human visual orientation. New York, NY: Wiley; 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Krebs DE, Gill-Body KM, Riley PO, Parker SW. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of rehabilitation for bilateral vestibular hypofunction: preliminary report. Otalaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993;109:735–41.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Berthoz A, Lacour M, Soechting JF, Vidal PP. The role of vision in the control of posture during linear motion. Prog Brain Res . 1979;50:197–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Dijkstra TMH, Schöner G, Gielen CCAM. Temporal stability of the action perception cycle for postural control in a moving visual environment. Exp Brain Res. 1994a;97:477–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Dijkstra TMH, Schöner G, Giese MA, Gielen CCAM. Frequency dependence of the action-perception cycle for postural control in a moving visual environment: relative phase dynamics. Biol Cybern. 1994b;71:489–501.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lee DN, Lishman JR. Visual proprioceptive control of stance. J Hum Mov Studies. 1975;1:87–95.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Peterka RJ, Benolken MS. Role of somatosensory and vestibular cues in attenuating visually induced human postural sway. Exp Brain Res. 1995;105:101–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Soechting J, Berthoz A. Dynamic role of vision in the control of posture in man. Exp Brain Res. 1979;36: 551–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Talbott RE, Brookhart JM. A predictive model study of the visual contribution to canine postural control. Am J Physiol. 1980;239:R80–92.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Benson AJ. The vestibular sensory system. In: The senses. Barlow HB, Mollon JD, editors. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press; 1982. pp. 333–68.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Schöner G. Dynamic theory of action-perception patterns: the ``moving room’ paradigm. Biol Cybern. 1991;64:455–62.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Holden M, Ventura J, Lackner JR. Stabilization of posture by precision contact of the index finger. J Vestibular Res. 1994;4:285–301.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Jeka JJ, Lackner JR. Fingertip contact influences human postural control. Exp Brain Res. 1994;100:495–502.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Jeka JJ, Lackner JR. The role of haptic cues from rough and slippery surfaces in human postural control. Exp Brain Res. 1995;103:267–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Jeka JJ, Easton RD, Bentzen BL, Lackner JR. Haptic cues for orientation and postural control in sighted and blind individuals. Percept Psychophys. 1996;58(3):409–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Jeka JJ, Schöner G, Dijkstra TMH, Ribeiro P, Lackner JR. Coupling of fingertip somatosensory information to head and body sway. Exp Brain Res. 1997;113:475–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Jeka JJ, Oie KS, Schöner GS, Dijkstra TMH, Henson EM. Position and velocity coupling of postural sway to somatosensory drive. J Neurophysiol. 1998;79:1661–74.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Clapp S, Wing AM. Light touch contribution to balance in normal bipedalstance. Exp Brain Res. 1999;125(4):521–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Dickstein R, Shupert CL, Horak FB. Fingertip touch improves stability in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Gait Posture. 2001;14(3):238–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Reginella RL, Redfern MS, Furman JM. Postural sway with earth-fixed and body referenced finger contact in young and older adults. J Vestibular Res. 1999;9(2):103–9.

    Google Scholar 

  55. Riley MA, Wong S, Mitra S, Turvey MT. Common effects of touch and vision on postural parameters. Exp Brain Res. 1997;117(1):165–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Oie KS, Kiemel T, Jeka J. Multisensory fusion: simultaneous reweighting of vision and touch for the control of human posture. Cogn Brain Res. 2002;14: 164–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Whipple R, Wolfson LI. Abnormalities of balance, gait and sensorimotor function in the elderly population. In: Duncan P, editor. Balance: proceedings of the APTA forum. Alexandria, VA: APTA; 1989. pp. 61–8.

    Google Scholar 

  58. College NR, Cantley P, Peaston I, Brash H, Lewis S, Wilson JA. Ageing and balance: the measurement of spontaneous sway by posturography. Gerontology. 1994;40:273–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Allison L, Kiemel T, Jeka JJ. Multisensory reweighting is intact in healthy and fall-prone older adults. Exp Brain Res. 2006;175(2):342–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Woollacott M, Shumway-Cook A, Nashner L. Aging and postural control: changes in sensory organization and muscular coordination. International Journal of Aging and Human Development. 1986;23:97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Allison L, Kiemel T, Jeka JJ (2005) The dynamics of multisensory reweighting in healthy and fall-prone older adults. 35th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Cumming RG. Intervention strategies and risk-factor modification for falls prevention. A review of recent intervention studies. Clin Geriatr Med. 2002;18(2): 175–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Gardner MM, Robertson MC, Campbell AJ. Exercise in preventing falls and fall related injuries in older people: a review of randomized controlled trials. Br J Sports Med. 2000;34(1):7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Support for this research provided by NIH grants 2RO1NS35070

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742-2611, USA

    Eric Anson

  2. Department of Kinesiology, Neuroscience & Cognitive Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742-2611, USA

    John Jeka

Authors
  1. Eric Anson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John Jeka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to John Jeka .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Market Street 3535, Philadelphia, 19104, USA

    Carol L. Armstrong

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, 15213, USA

    Lisa Morrow

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Anson, E., Jeka, J. (2010). Sensory Reweighting: A Rehabilitative Mechanism?. In: Armstrong, C., Morrow, L. (eds) Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1364-7_29

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation