SynthesisFrontiers in aging neuroscience2026
Age-related cortical mechanisms underlying postural control: a systematic review.
Synthesis in Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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6 authors.
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Abstract
Introduction: Despite growing interest in age-related cortical mechanisms of postural control, heterogeneity across studies has limited the synthesis of existing evidence. This systematic review aimed to (1) characterize age-related alterations in cortical activity during standing balance tasks with sensory, cognitive, and mechanical challenges; (2) examine the association between cortical activity and postural sway; and (3) characterize the current methodology of assessing cortical activity during standing balance tasks in older adults (OA). Methods: Relevant research articles were identified through systematic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL from inception to October 8, 2025. Eligible studies measured cortical activity during standing balance under sensory, cognitive, and mechanical challenges using electroencephalography (EEG) or functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We used the Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for quantitative studies for quality assessment. Results: Thirty-seven studies with a total of 1,302 participants, including 788 OA (60.5%), were included. Most studies ( Discussion: This systematic review indicates that aging may be associated with diminished task-dependent cortical modulation, weaker associations between cortical activity and postural sway, and delayed sensorimotor processing during challenging balance tasks. These findings provide a foundation for future studies aimed at clarifying age-related cortical mechanisms of postural control during standing balance. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420251159695.
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