title: The impact of vision loss on postural stability and balance strategies in individuals with profound vision loss.
abstract: Individuals with vision loss are at an increased risk of falls. Understanding what factors contribute to postural instability within this population is a necessary step towards the development of physiotherapeutic programs targeted at reduction of falls within this population. Forty-six age-matched participants were evaluated with the sensory organization test (SOT) on a NeuroCom Equitest. The conditions provided accurate and inaccurate sensory information to test the participants' ability to utilize the correct information to maintain postural stability. A one-way analysis of variance was performed on composite balance scores between groups. Based on the data analysis, significant differences were apparent in equilibrium composite scores (P<.05) and strategy utilized to maintain postural stability between the visually impaired and sighted sample. Results indicate that restricted vision has a negative impact on overall postural stability and visually impaired individuals utilize greater use of hip strategy to maintain postural stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, The University of Texas at Arlington, Dallas VA Medical Center (151), 801 Greek Row Drive, TX, USA. crayuga@aol.com
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Croce
authors.forename: R Christopher
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities