The Effect of a Mental Rotation Task of the Foot on Postural Control

Abstract

Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate whether a mental rotation task of the foot influences postural control.[Subjects] The participants were 12 healthy adults. [Method] We checked the effect using three different postural conditions: bipedal with the eyes open, bipedal with the eyes closed, and unipedal. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group performed mental rotation of the foot, while the control group performed a simple lateral judgement task. [Result] Comparison of the postural sway prior to and after the intervention showed that postural sway was significantly reduced after the intervention in the unipedal condition but not in the bipedal with eyes open and closed conditions.[Conclusion] These findings suggest that the intervention of a mental rotation task facilitates body awareness and reduces postural sway in one-legged standing.