As the global population ages, declines in sensory, cognitive, and motor functions increase fall risk and compromise postural stability. Despite growing research, systematic reviews examining visual attention and postural stability-particularly through eye-tracking-remain scarce....
No actionable change for audiologists directly, though findings may support the rationale for multisensory balance rehabilitation programs in older adults with vestibular or hearing-related balance deficits.
Audiologists managing patients with vestibular disorders and fall risk should be aware of the broader evidence linking visual attention and postural control, as it reinforces a multisensory approach to balance rehabilitation.
- 01Systematic review examined visual attention's role in postural stability in exercising older adults.
- 02Focus was on health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) as a context for fall risk reduction.
- 03Visual and vestibular systems interact closely; findings have indirect relevance to vestibular audiology.
- 04Systematic review methodology provides relatively higher-quality evidence synthesis.
- 05Does not directly address hearing loss or auditory contributions to balance.
Visual attention is associated with postural stability in older adults engaged in health-enhancing physical activity.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42339364
- DOI
- 10.3389/fnetp.2026.1841735.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Network Physiology
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 2a
- Population
- Older adults participating in health-enhancing physical activity
- Intervention
- Health-enhancing physical activity with visual attention demands
Primary outcomes
Postural stability; Fall risk reduction in older adults