Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2026
Walking with noise: the impact of auditory white noise stimulation on gait dynamics in young and older adults.
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Gwerder Michelle, Kim Yong K, Studer Paciane B, Frautschi Angela, Taylor William R, Singh Navrag B
Аннотация
BACKGROUND: Walking is essential for maintaining autonomy and quality of life, yet age-related declines in sensory and motor function can impair gait control and increase fall risk. Auditory white noise stimulation may offer a simple approach to support sensorimotor function and enhance gait strategy. This effect may be particularly relevant in older adults, because their sensory signals are often diminished. This intervention study tested three hypotheses: 1) subthreshold auditory white noise stimulation enhances gait strategy more in older than in younger adults, 2), subthreshold auditory white noise stimulation has a greater impact on gait strategy than threshold and supra-threshold noise, and 3) the effects of auditory white noise persist beyond the period of stimulation.
METHODS: Fifty young (mean age 23.8 ± 2.3 years) and 50 older adults (68.1 ± 5.1 year) walked on a treadmill under baseline, three randomized white noise conditions (subthreshold, threshold, and supra-threshold), and a post-condition (NormPost, approximately 15 min after stimulation). Linear mixed-effects models assessed spatiotemporal gait parameters, margin of stability, and gait variability.
RESULTS: Older adults exhibited significantly shorter stride length (ES = 0.28) and greater variability across all gait parameters than younger adults (ES = 0.06-0.22). Auditory white noise significantly affected mean gait parameters, with age-dependent responses observed for most parameters. During subthreshold stimulation, older adults showed significantly reduced cadence (ES = 0.33) and step width (ES = 0.62), and increased stride time (ES = 0.5), support phases (ES = 0.39-0.64), stride length (ES = 0.49), and increased antero-posterior margin of stability (ES = 0.58) compared to baseline. No significant differences were found between the three auditory noise intensities. Several gait parameter changes remained evident in the NormPost condition with some showing greater changes from baseline than during stimulation.
CONCLUSION: Auditory white noise stimulation was associated with changes in several gait parameters in older adults that were not observed in younger adults, suggesting age-dependent responses to auditory noise. The persistence of some effects beyond stimulation warrants further investigation into potential underlying sensorimotor and attentional mechanisms. While auditory white noise represents a non-invasive and easily implementable form of sensory stimulation, further studies are needed to establish its effects on gait strategy and fall risk, particularly during overground walking and in clinical populations.
METHODS: Fifty young (mean age 23.8 ± 2.3 years) and 50 older adults (68.1 ± 5.1 year) walked on a treadmill under baseline, three randomized white noise conditions (subthreshold, threshold, and supra-threshold), and a post-condition (NormPost, approximately 15 min after stimulation). Linear mixed-effects models assessed spatiotemporal gait parameters, margin of stability, and gait variability.
RESULTS: Older adults exhibited significantly shorter stride length (ES = 0.28) and greater variability across all gait parameters than younger adults (ES = 0.06-0.22). Auditory white noise significantly affected mean gait parameters, with age-dependent responses observed for most parameters. During subthreshold stimulation, older adults showed significantly reduced cadence (ES = 0.33) and step width (ES = 0.62), and increased stride time (ES = 0.5), support phases (ES = 0.39-0.64), stride length (ES = 0.49), and increased antero-posterior margin of stability (ES = 0.58) compared to baseline. No significant differences were found between the three auditory noise intensities. Several gait parameter changes remained evident in the NormPost condition with some showing greater changes from baseline than during stimulation.
CONCLUSION: Auditory white noise stimulation was associated with changes in several gait parameters in older adults that were not observed in younger adults, suggesting age-dependent responses to auditory noise. The persistence of some effects beyond stimulation warrants further investigation into potential underlying sensorimotor and attentional mechanisms. While auditory white noise represents a non-invasive and easily implementable form of sensory stimulation, further studies are needed to establish its effects on gait strategy and fall risk, particularly during overground walking and in clinical populations.