Abstract
Performing attention-demanding tasks in a Virtual reality (VR) environment may show promise for improving fall prevention programming. Twenty healthy older adults (749 years) completed a Dichotic Listening task with three auditory selective conditions: non-forced (NF), right forced (RF), and left forced (LF). Tasks were performed in a non-walking single task session (ST) and in both virtual reality (VR) and non-virtual reality (NVR) dual-task sessions on a self-paced treadmill. All individuals tested for normal hearing (20 dB) at low frequency (500) in both right and left ears, including the five that wore hearing aids. Repeated measures ANOVAs (p<0.05) were used to examine condition (NF, RF, LF) and environment (ST, VR, NVR) comparisons with the right and left ear responses and spatial temporal gait parameters as dependent variables. Results showed right and left ear dichotic measures in the VR environment approached significance (p=0.057) in comparison to the ST and NVR environments. Specifically in the VR condition, the FL condition approached significance (p=0.056), for both right and left ear responses compared to the FR condition. Gait results showed a significant increase for double support time in the NVR compared to the VR environment (p<0.05). Right step time in the VR environment also had a significant main effect (p=0.047)while dual-tasking. These preliminary results suggest that a VR environment may positively influence dual-task performance, as both gait and cognition scores were better. Further investigation of dual tasking in a VR environment will strengthen methods and application of fall prevention programming for older adults.