Low-level noise affects balance control differently when applied at different body parts

The main purpose of this study was to determine which body part is the best position to apply noise at so that balance control can be improved most. Twelve young healthy participants were recruited in this study. Balance control was assessed by center of pressure (COP) measures, which were collected when participants were blindfolded and stood upright quietly on a force platform. Low-level mechanical noise was separately applied at seven body parts during quiet upright stance, including the forehead, neck, shoulder, finger, abdomen, knee, and ankle. Results showed that dependent COP measures as a whole were not improved when noise was at the finger, shoulder, abdomen, knee, and ankle. In contrast, with the application of noise at the forehead and neck, the dependent COP measures as a whole significantly changed. The forehead appeared to be the better position at which noise should be applied, since the ANOVAs revealed that body sway significantly decreased with the application of noise at the forehead. Findings from this study can aid in the development of noise-based intervention strategies aimed at improving balance. A possible intervention solution might be embedding noise-based devices into head belt.