Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2017 , Vol 20, Issue 4
AGE-RELATED VISUAL PERCEPTION IS CORRELATED WITH POSTURAL BALANCE IN OLDER PERSONS
Yongnam PARK1, Youngsook BAE2
1Gachon University, Health Science Colleage, Physical Therapy, Incheon SOUTH KOREA
2Hu Nae Ri center, Gangwon-do SOUTH KOREA
Introduction: Decreased cognition is accompanied by decreased postural balance, and visual perception is one of the cognition. The aim of this study is identified that the difference between visual perception and postural balance according to gender and age, and the relationship between visual perception and postural balance.in older person.

Materials and Method: The participants of 194 older person measured visual perception, measure time of visual perception and postural balance. Visual perception measured using Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-4, and measure time of visual perception was mean the time taken to measure visual perception. The postural balance was measured area (mm2), length (cm), and average speed (m/s) of center of pressure displacement in a standing position with open eyes.

Results: Spatial relationship, figure-ground and visual memory of visual perception were lower in 85 years or older than in the other group. Measure time of visual perception was significantly correlated with the length and average speed of center of pressure, and visual perception score was significantly correlated with area of center of pressure. Among the spatial relationship and figure-ground were significantly correlated with area of center of pressure, and visual discrimination was significantly correlated with length and average speed of center of pressure.

Conclusion: This result indicated that visual perception is related to age, and slower measure time of visual perception and lower visual perception scores were correlated with poorer postural balance. Slowed visual processing in elderly individuals may affect postural balance. Keywords : Aged, Postural balance; Visual perception; Posture; Sex