Riesen, Eleanor2013-11-082013-11-0820062006Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-07, Section: B, page: 4138.http://hdl.handle.net/10393/29311http://dx.doi.org/10.20381/ruor-19688The purpose of this study is to examine the mutual effects of the concurrent performance of a spatial memory task (spatial span forward and backward of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III) and postural balance task (standing on a compliant surface) in seniors with good and poor balance. Furthermore, the purpose is to determine if these interference effects are similar if using a verbal memory task (letter number sequencing of the Wechsler Memory Scale-III) rather than a spatial memory task, or a finger tapping task rather than a postural balance task. Sixty-one participants were recruited from seniors' residences and the community. Twenty-nine were assigned to the poor balance group (mean age 72.93) and 32 were assigned to the good balance group (mean age 80.78) based on their scores on the Berg Balance Scale. Subjects were asked to conduct the spatial and verbal memory tasks while sitting, standing, and finger tapping. Four measures of balance were computer from Kistler force plate data: range of center of pressure in the anteriorposterior (Range A-P) and the mediolateral (Range M-L) directions; and root means square of center of pressure in the anteriorposterior (RMS A-P) and mediolateral (RMS M-L) directions. Finger tapping rate was measured with an electronic counter. Interference effects differed for the verbal and the spatial memory tasks. Specifically, postural balance was spared interference when paired with the spatial memory task, but not when paired with the verbal memory task. This pattern of interference was different when a finger tapping task was substituted for a balance task, and could not be explained by a unitary model of attentional resources or a multiple resources model. A new model of attentional resources was presented which better explains the results of the current study as well as the results of previous studies.123 p.enGerontology.Psychology, Experimental.Psychology, Cognitive.Psychology, Physiological.Thesis