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. 2025 Apr;37(4):176-180.
doi: 10.1589/jpts.37.176. Epub 2025 Apr 1.

A study of eye movement during dual-task walking in elderly individuals

Kazumasa Yamada  1 , Iemasa Hayashi  2 , Kenta Kunoh  2 , Daisuke Kimura  3
Affiliations

A study of eye movement during dual-task walking in elderly individuals

Kazumasa Yamada et al. J Phys Ther Sci. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

[Purpose] Older adults are at higher risk of falling during dual-task walking; however, their eye movements during such time are unclear. Our previous studies measured eye movements during pseudo-walking (walking in place), with and without calculation tasks, to investigate the mechanisms of falls experienced by elderly individuals during dual-task walking. This study aimed to clarify whether eye movement during actual walking are similar to those during pseudo-walking obtained previously and examine the mechanism of falls during actual dual-task walking in elderly people. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 15 healthy older adults (four men, 11 women, mean age; 85.3 ± 5.8 years). A wireless eye movement-measuring device was used to measure eye movements during single-task walking without calculations, dual-task walking with calculations, and walking while consciously looking ahead. [Results] Eye movements during walking were similar to those observed during pseudo-walking. [Conclusion] During actual dual-task walking, the eyes move but are not focused on the forward visual field, increasing the risk of stumbling, a major cause of falls, and makes individuals more susceptible to falls.

Keywords: Accidental falls; Dual task walking; Eye movements.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this study or its publication.

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