Cortical adaptations in regional activity and backbone network following short-term postural training with visual feedback for older adults

This study investigated cortical reorganization in older adults following short-term interactive balance training. Twenty participants aged 65–74 received training in stabilometer stance, visually aligning plate movement with a horizontal line on a monitor. Pre-test and post-test measured posture fluctuations and scalp EEG during stabilometer stance. Results showed a training-related decrease in root mean square (RMS) (p = 0.001) and an increase in mean frequency (p = 0.006) of posture fluctuations. Despite a decline in theta relative power in Fp1 (p = 0.027), stabilometer training led to a post-test increase in alpha relative power around electrodes of the ventral visual pathway (p = 0.002). Additionally, augmentations were noted in theta relative power in Tp8 (p = 0.033) and beta relative power in F7 (p = 0.039). Analysis of the minimum spanning tree (MST) of alpha inter-regional connectivity indicated a training-related decrease in leaf fraction (p = 0.011) and increase in average eccentricity (p = 0.041), respectively. Training-related changes in the RMS of posture fluctuation were positively correlated with changes in pooled alpha relative power in electrodes of the ventral visual pathway (r = 0.459, p = 0.042) and negatively correlated with changes in average eccentricity of the alpha MST network (r = − 0.487, p = 0.029). In conclusion, short-term interactive training enhances balance by reorganizing regional and alpha-band network activities, which supports improved visual attention and prevents early visual processing idling during initial postural learning.