Effect of smooth eye tracking in different patterns on results of the modified Clinical Balance Sensory Integration Test in healthy young adults

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether eye tracking of a point moving in different directions influences balance test performance in young healthy subjects. Methods: The study enrolled 45 healthy young adults aged 19-26. Balance assessment was carried out according to the modified Clinical Balance Sensory Integration Test protocol using the Biodex Balance System with an additional 63" screen to present the eye-tracking task. Each participant repeated measurements in standing on a stable and foam surface in six test conditions: two without eye tracking with eyes open and eyes closed, and four with eye tracking: with vertical, horizontal, star, and circle moving point. Each trial lasted 30 sec. Results: Regression analysis for the Sway Index showed that there was no impact of eye tracking on test results (p = 0.4326), although detailed analysis showed a significant impact of tracking a point moving in a circle in standing on a foam surface ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: The presented results show that eye-tracking does not influence the results of the balance test with exception of eye-tracking of the circle movement in standing on a foam surface. It suggests that eye movements may affect the test results when performing more difficult balance tests.