學刊論文
Postural Response Time Varies with Temporal Predictability of External Disturbance

DOI: 10.6129/CJP.20120923
中華心理學刊 民102,55卷,1期,107-117
Chinese Journal of Psychology 2013, Vol.55, No.1, 107-117

 


Hui-Ya Chen(School of Physical Therapy, Chung Shan Medical University;Physical Therapy Room, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital);Shun-Hwa Wei(Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University);Wen-Hsu Sung(Department of Physical Therapy and Assistive Technology, National Yang-Ming University);Wen-Wei Tsai(Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health)

 

Abstract

Designing paradigms with predictable disturbances to balance allows for the study of anticipatory factors in the
control of postural responses. To probe the effects of temporal predictability on postural response time in  standing balance, this study identified a balance perturbation paradigm with a regularly spaced series of perturbations. A computer-controlled actuator applied horizontal hip displacements of 20 mm or 80 mm in twelve healthy young adults. In one condition, the timing interval between onsets of a series of hip isplacements was set at 1,500 ms, and each perturbation was accompanied by a metronome beat 50 ms in advance. This was contrasted with conditions in which metronome beats every 1,500 ms were played but perturbations were introduced with random timing. In addition to the variable of timing certainty, another variable of direction certainty was factorially added -- directed either alternately to the right and left or randomly. A three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the temporally predictable perturbations resulted in a shorter response time -5.4 ms (p = .008), which may be magnified in patients with prolonged postural response times. Effects of disturbance amplitude (p = .086) or direction certainty (p = .997) or their interaction on response time were not observed. Possible mechanisms of the effect of temporal anticipation include heightened attention directed to a particular moment in time, or faster recognition of the balance stimulus parallel or prior to its actual sensory processing.


Keywords: perturbation, predictability, response time, standing balance

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