Movement sonification for testing mobility in the context of interacting with complex environments

The ability to predict fall risk in older adults is important. While effective interventions exist, clinical screening tests for balance and mobility often fall short. Simple lab-based tests may not fully capture abilities to perform sensory-motor interactions with everyday complex and dynamically changing environments. This research examined participants’ postural control responses to perturbations in concurrent activities. Participants’ ability to coordinate or de-couple these two simultaneous levels of motor control will be used as a potential predictor of other established variables linked to risk of falling.

“The funding allowed us to explore a unique perspective on a common problem and our plans, halted for now, were to test this perspective and also to advertise it as an entertaining task.” — Laurel Trainor