The Effects of Virtual Height Exposure on Postural Control and Psychophysiological Stress Are Moderated by Individual Height Intolerance

Bzdúšková, Diana; Marko, Martin; Hirjaková, Zuzana; Kimijanová, Jana; Hlavačka, F; Riečanský, I

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.773091

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…An intermittent control of quiet upright standing ( 73 – 76 ) would likely favour increase in Sway Area rather than Path Length. When the conditions are unstable (as in EC Foam) and the subjects search for a safe posture, the association between Sway Area and Path Length (as assessed by the determination coefficient) improves but remains moderate, being probably dependent on the idiosyncratic behaviour of the single participants ( 77 ). All in all, the measures of Sway Area and Path Length cannot be considered equivalent, or redundant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incongruity of Geometric and Spectral Markers in the Assessment of Body Sway

Sozzi

Ghai²,

Schieppati

2022

Front. Neurol.

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Different measurements of body oscillations in the time or frequency domain are being employed as markers of gait and balance abnormalities. This study investigates basic relationships within and between geometric and spectral measures in a population of young adult subjects. Twenty healthy subjects stood with parallel feet on a force platform with and without a foam pad. Adaptation effects to prolonged stance were assessed by comparing the first and last of a series of eight successive trials. Centre of Foot Pressure (CoP) excursions were recorded with Eyes Closed (EC) and Open (EO) for 90s. Geometric measures (Sway Area, Path Length), standard deviation (SD) of the excursions, and spectral measure (mean power Spectrum Level and Median Frequency), along the medio-lateral (ML) and antero-posterior (AP) direction were computed. Sway Area was more strongly associated than Path Length with CoP SD and, consequently, with mean Spectrum Level for both ML and AP, and both visual and surface conditions. The squared-SD directly specified the mean power Spectrum Level of CoP excursions (ML and AP) in all conditions. Median Frequency was hardly related to Spectrum Level. Adaptation had a confounding effect, whereby equal values of Sway Area, Path Length, and Spectrum Level corresponded to different Median Frequency values. Mean Spectrum Level and SDs of the time series of CoP ML and AP excursions convey the same meaning and bear an acceptable correspondence with Sway Area values. Shifts in Median Frequency values represent important indications of neuromuscular control of stance and of the effects of vision, support conditions, and adaptation. The Romberg Quotient EC/EO for a given variable is contingent on the compliance of the base of support and adaptation, and different between Sway Area and Path Length, but similar between Sway Area and Spectrum Level (AP and ML). These measures must be taken with caution in clinical studies, and considered together in order to get a reliable indication of overall body sway, of modifications by sensory and standing condition, and of changes with ageing, medical conditions and rehabilitation treatment. However, distinct measures shed light on the discrete mechanisms and complex processes underpinning the maintenance of stance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incongruity of Geometric and Spectral Markers in the Assessment of Body Sway

Sozzi

Ghai²,

Schieppati

2022

Front. Neurol.

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“…First, we aim to replicate previous findings that the perception of postural instability onset is not significantly slower than that of an auditory reference stimulus [3,4]. Second, we hypothesize that presenting a visually threatening scene via virtual reality (VR) will reduce any perceived delay between postural instability onset and an auditory reference stimulus compared to a non-threatening environment, based on observed behavioral and psychological changes at both physical and virtual heights [7,11-18]. Finally, we anticipate that participants will exhibit improved precision or a reduction in the variability of their responses, resulting in a decreased just noticeable difference (JND) in their TOJ tasks when exposed to a virtual height.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…On the other hand, the JND (precision) of responses markedly differed between the eyes-open and VR conditions. Research has consistently shown that VR and threatening visual scenes can induce psychological effects such as increased arousal, heightened anxiety, and diminished confidence in balance [7,11-18]. These effects likely sharpen an individual’s attention, which, while not affecting PSS, has been found to improve the precision (reduce JND) of TOJ responses [21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, more recent studies, taking into account methodological design, have reported no significant effect of visual information on the perceived timing of postural perturbations, challenging previous findings [3,4]. Nevertheless, other research in postural control has shown that visual context, such as height, can substantially influence an individual’s perception and actions [5-18]. Assessing the impact of altering visual context on the perceived timing of perturbation onset, therefore, could provide valuable insights into how threatening visual information is integrated into balance control.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Investigating the Effect of Visual Threat in Virtual Reality on Perceiving Postural Instability Onset

McIlroy,

Barnett-Cowan

2023

Preprint

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BackgroundSensory information processing plays a crucial role in monitoring the timing of external and internal events, including the control of balance. While previous research has investigated the role of vision in the perceived timing of postural instability onset with eyes closed and open, it is important to further explore the influence of visual context. Virtual reality offers a unique opportunity to manipulate visual information and assess its impact on balance control and the perceived timing of sensory events.Research QuestionDoes visual information, particularly visual threat presented in virtual reality, alter the perceived timing of postural instability onset?MethodsTwo temporal order judgment tasks were conducted using virtual reality to manipulate visual information. Participants were placed on a virtual skyscraper to induce visual threat. The experiments investigated the impact of visual information on the perceived onset of postural instability while manipulating the presence/absence of visual threat.ResultsWith vision available but without visual threat, the onset of a postural perturbation needed to occur 10.71-12.33 ms before a reference sound stimulus to be perceived as simultaneous. With visual threat, the onset needed to occur 4.45 ms before auditory cue onset to be perceived as simultaneous. While these delays were not significantly different from true simultaneity of perturbation and sound onset, participants were significantly more precise in their judgments when threatening visual information was present.SignificanceOur results show that visual context, particularly visual threat presented in virtual reality, may alter the perception of perturbation onset and the precision of judgments made. This has implications for understanding the role of vision in balance control and developing interventions to improve balance and prevent falls.

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“…Mounting evidence suggests that psychological factors, such as fear, influence postural control. The emotional states affect the sensorimotor processes underlying balance control and can significantly influence postural stability ( Teggi et al, 2019 ), which is especially evident in individuals with fear of falling ( Davis et al, 2009 ) and fear of heights ( Bzdúšková et al, 2022 ). It has been reported that about 30% of the adult population suffers from visual height intolerance, which reduces the quality of life and causes various constraints such as avoidance of heights ( Huppert et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fear of heights shapes postural responses to vibration-induced balance perturbation at virtual height

Bzdúšková,

Marko,

Hirjaková

et al. 2023

Front. Hum. Neurosci.

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IntroductionStanding upright at height is a challenging situation involving intense threat of balance loss and fall. The ability to maintain balance in such conditions requires properly resolving sensory conflicts and is influenced by fear. To get more insight on the role of fear in balance control at height, we explored the dynamics of postural behavior in the situation of enhanced threat of potential balance loss.MethodsIn 40 young individuals with varying fear of heights, we combined simulated exposure to height in a virtual reality environment with bilateral vibration of tibialis anterior muscles which evokes posture destabilization (the so-called vibration-induced falling).ResultsUnder such condition of enhanced postural threat, individuals with intense fear of heights showed stronger stiffening of posture compared with individuals with low fear of heights who react more flexibly and adaptively to posture destabilization. This group difference was evident already at ground level but further increased during virtual height exposure.DiscussionOur data show that fear of height significantly affects posture adaptation to balance-destabilizing events. Our findings demonstrate that the assessment of postural behavior during threatening situations in the virtual reality environment provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of balance control and may be used to develop novel strategies aimed at prevention of falls.

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The Effects of Virtual Height Exposure on Postural Control and Psychophysiological Stress Are Moderated by Individual Height Intolerance

Cited by 13 publications

References 51 publications

Incongruity of Geometric and Spectral Markers in the Assessment of Body Sway

Incongruity of Geometric and Spectral Markers in the Assessment of Body Sway

Investigating the Effect of Visual Threat in Virtual Reality on Perceiving Postural Instability Onset

Fear of heights shapes postural responses to vibration-induced balance perturbation at virtual height

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