Cognitive Sciences and Psychology
Title : | The effects of age-related balance dysfunction on cognition and verbal communication |
Area of Research : | Cognitive Sciences and Psychology |
Focus Area : | Aging, Sensorimotor Integration |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Niraj Kumar Singh, All India Institute of Speech Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka (570006) |
Co-PI: | Dr. Amrita Kanchan, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka (570006), Dr. Brajesh Priyadarshi, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka (570006), Dr. Prawin Kumar, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, Karnataka (570006) |
Contact info : | niraj6@gmail.com;
amrita.kanchan@rediffmail.com;
brajeshaiish@gmail.com;
prawinaiims2002@gmail.com |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Total Budget (INR): | 1,25,70,160 |
Details
Executive Summary : | The proposed research program aims to understand the relationship between ageing, balance, cognition and language processing. Hence it will compare the young adults and older adults, with and without balance deficits on the behavioral and electrophysiological indices of cognition and language. Methodology The research program will include 120 participants who will be divided into 4 groups- 60 older adults in the age range of 60-70 years, 30 each with without balance deficits 60 young adults in the age range of 18-40 years, 30 each with vestibular neuritis and without deficits. The cognition and language skills will be evaluated through the behavioral and electrophysiological measures and compared among the groups. Outcomes The outcomes of this research will help unwind the relationship between ageing, balance, cognition and language and prove useful in the development of tailor made rehabilitation programs for older adults with and without body balance deficits. Key questions Is balance deficit one of the major causes of cognitive decline Does cognitive deficit caused by deficits in balance result in language deficits Hypothesis Studies on young adults with balance deficits have shown the presence of cognitive deficits. Balance deficits are also often found in older adults above the age of 60 years. This implies that the balance deficits in the elderly might cause the cognitive decline, or cumulatively ageing and imbalance could affect cognition. Since cognition and language are intricately related, it is plausible that there is a cumulative effect of ageing, imbalance, and cognition on language processing in older adults. Applications/needs addressed by the proposal The population of aged individuals 60 years has been on a steady incline. The 2001 census of India has shown an increase in the population of older adults from 4 of the total population in 1951 to nearly 7.5 in 2001. This is indeed alarming, and whilst nothing can be done to control the ever growing population of the older adults, measures to control the negative impact of ageing on overall quality of life of these individuals can be put in place well in advance. Some of the factors that affect quality of life of an older adult are imbalance, cognitive decline and language processing deficits however all of them need not be affected in the same individual to the same extent. Studies on young adults with balance deficits have shown the presence of cognitive deficits. Balance deficits are also often found in older adults above the age of 60 years. This implies that the balance deficits in the elderly might cause the cognitive decline, or cumulatively ageing and imbalance could affect cognition. These three i.e., balance, cognition and language processing are vital for quality of life of an individual they help an individual remain attached to the family and avoid social isolation, and therefore before planning for intervention to improve quality of life of older adults, the intricate relationship among these aspects must be clearly understood. |
Equipments : | High density (=32 channels) EEG system with necessary hardware and software, Computer-2, Printer ( Rs.4000000.00 ) , High density (=32 channels) EEG system with necessary hardware and software, Computer-2, Printer ( Rs.0.00 ) , High density (=32 channels) EEG system with necessary hardware and software, Computer-2, Printer ( Rs.0.00 ) |
Organizations involved