Abstract

High sensory processing sensitivity trait (HSPST) is a specific neurological characteristic affecting 20% of the world's population. It is characterized because the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) has high levels of empathic capacity, emotional relativity, and sensitivity to subtle stimuli imperceptible to others. Objective: Relate the trait of the HSPST and postural balance in older people. Methods: This was a correlational study. It was conducted in a single stage using a presential questionnaire and postural balance assessment. The participants in this study were selected by non-random, accidental sampling from the city of Punta Arenas, Chile. The sample comprised 77 older adults aged between 63 and 77 years. Results: The High Sensitive Person Scale (HSPS) score significantly predicted the eye-closed (EC) postural balance outcome. The study demonstrated a correlation between the HSPS score and postural balance. While increasing the HSPS score, postural balance was expected in older adults. Conclusions: People with a high HSPS score would be established as a predictor of the result of balance with EC, observing that for every one unit increase in the HSPS score, there is a 6% decrease in the probability of having a balance altered.