Skip to main content

Berkley Petersen

Ph.D. Candidate

Berkley Peterson

Real-world tasks such as street crossing requires multiple object tracking (MOT) while balancing or walking (dual-tasking) but this core visual function is rarely trained in dual-task research. During my PhD I conduct research out of the School of Health to investigate how MOT training affects older adults' walking, balancing, cognitive-motor dual-tasking (e.g., walking and backwards counting) and working memory. I will be including Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to examine neuroplastic changes specific to MOT training, and that contribute to behavioural improvements to dual tasking. I recruit older adults with and without hearing loss to investigate the effects hearing acuity has on training efficacy and dual-task performance outcomes. My other research interests include using qualitative methods to gain further insight into what challenges older adults’ with combined sensory, cognitive and motor declines face when functioning in everyday life. Previous research projects included data collection in a public mall setting (engAGE Living Lab) to study how simulated vision impairment, hearing loss and increased cognitive load affected older adults’ complex balance performance. 

 

Back to top

© Concordia University