Cross-Sectional Association of Spatial Cognition with Static and Dynamic Balance in Healthy Young Adults

Notable advancements are observed in recent years for understanding the intricate association between vestibular system and cognition, specially spatial information. Static and dynamic balance, both key vestibular functions, are linked to cognitive performance. In order to explore the relationship of both static and dynamic balance with spatial cognition in healthy young adults a total of 122 participants were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Cognitive functions were assessed in three domains: mental rotation, spatial orientation, and visuospatial working memory. The associations between balance scores and spatial cognitive scores were evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Statistically significant correlations were identified in the relationship of spatial orientation and static balance as well as mental rotation and dynamic balance. No significant correlation was observed in case of visuospatial working memory. The present data demonstrate that spatial orientation and mental rotation are strong predictors of balance in healthy young adult population.