Postural Control in Young People with Visual Impairments and Various Risks of Falls

Abstract

Introduction Early diagnosis of postural control deficiencies facilitates implementation of an individual rehabilitation plan to prevent falls. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of falling in individuals with visual impairments, and to compare performance-based and theoretical limits of stability in subjects with various risks of falling. Methods The study was comprised of 23 participants with severe visual impairments. The risk of fall was assessed with the Step Test. Performance-based limits of stability were measured with the Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc. (AMTI) platform, and theoretical limits of stability were calculated based on the height of the center of mass (COM) and maximum body sway leaning angles. Results COM displacement values, corresponding to performance-based limits of stability, in individuals with visual impairments whose risk of falling was classified as high were significantly lower than the theoretical values (p ≤ .05). Similar differences were not observed in participants with visual impairments whose risk of falling was assessed as low. Individuals from the low-risk group showed significantly higher values of performance-based limits of stability than the participants from the high-risk group (p ≤ .01 for medio-lateral direction and p ≤ .05 for forward-backward direction). Discussion Nearly half of young people with visual impairments are at increased risk of falling. Such persons showed lower performance-based limits of stability than participants with visual impairments with a low risk of falling. Performance-based limits of stability in individuals with visual impairments with a high risk of falling are lower than their theoretical limits of stability. Implications for practitioners The fact that nearly half of young people with visual impairments are at an increased risk of falling necessitates implementation of preventive measures in this group, as well as among individuals who are blind.