Analysis of Motor Skills in Subjects Aged 55 and Over: the Role of Cognitive Abilities for Planning Movement.

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Sequence 1: perform arm movements towards a target

Sequence 2: judge the verticality of an object

Sequence 3: In standing position, point as quickly as possible with the right arm at the diode that will light up in front of the participant.

Study summary

Falling is an event that is more frequent and severe in older age. It can lead to a loss of autonomy and a decrease in quality of life. It is therefore important to understand this phenomenon in order to better prevent it. Among the multiple risk factors associated with falling, recent research has shown a link between the decline in cognitive abilities (i.e., the mental processes that form our knowledge, such as memory) and the risk of falling. However, the impact of this cognitive decline on motor skills is still poorly understood. The purpose of this research is to study how the changes induced by aging affect motor skills. This would make it possible to take a new look at the phenomenon of falls occurring in the elderly and, in the long term, to improve the prevention and rehabilitation.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Sequence 1: symmetry ratio of the finger speed profile — through study completion, an average of 3 years
• Sequence 2 : perception bias (error in degrees of angle) of dynamic subjective visual vericality — through study completion, an average of 3 years
• Sequence 3 : activation time of the focal muscles in relation to the postural muscles — through study completion, an average of 3 years

Trial sites (1)

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