Biomechanical Analysis of the Effects of Canes of Different Length and Mass on Posture and Gait in Persons who are Blind

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cane use of different lengths and masses on gait patterns in blind individuals (traditional (T) and non-traditional (NT) cane users) and sighted individuals (S). METHODS: Participants (n=30) volunteered for this study from the Lion's World Services in Little Rock, Arkansas, from Louisiana Center for the Blind in Ruston, and from Louisiana Tech University. A 2D Motion Capture System was used to record the motion and ground reaction forces of the participants during gait. Differences in the mean peak kinematic variables and kinetic variables were statistically analyzed (P<0.05) using a MANOVA. RESULTS: Significant differences in the gait patterns were found among S, NT and T with similar gait patterns found between the NT and S. Mean peak for the hip angle during the swing phase was significantly different between T (189 ± 6rad) and S (198 ± 9rad). Mean peaks for the elbow angle during swing phase and stance phase were significantly different between NT (77 ± 30rad and 111 ± 13rad) and S (145 ± 7rad and 167 ± 9rad). CONCLUSIONS: Traditional cane users exhibit a different control over foot placement, gait velocity, and trunk motion. A more upright posture was found between S and NT. The current study established that cane length has an effect on gait patterns. Additional research is necessary to determine if alterations in gait patterns due to cane length may predispose individuals to injury