Scheduled for Poster Session: Research Strands Across the Alliance, Thursday, April 10, 2008, 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall, Reseach Consortium Poster Sessions


Sensory Utilization to Maintain Postural Stability in Visually Impaired Adults

Christopher T. Ray, University of Texas-Arlington, Arlington, TX and Michael Horvat, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Individuals with vision loss are at an increased risk of falls. Understanding what factors contribute to postural instability in individuals with vision loss is a necessary step towards the development of physiotherapeutic programs targeted at reduction of falls within this population. 74 age-matched participants with and without visual impairments were evaluated with the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on a NeuroCom Equitest. The conditions provided accurate and inaccurate sensory information to test the participant's ability to utilize the correct information to maintain postural stability. A multivariate analysis of variance was performed on the overall composite balance scores; along with the participants mean scores from each condition to analyze the participant's utilization of sensory information to maintain postural stability. Based on the data analysis, significant differences were apparent in equilibrium composite scores (F = 5.36, p < .01). Additionally, a significant difference between groups was apparent on condition 4 (F = 22.1, P < .01), which provided accurate vestibular and visual information, while providing inaccurate somatosensory information. It is clear from this study that restricted vision has a negative impact on postural stability and it appears visually impaired individuals attempt to utilize remaining visual feedback to make postural adjustments in lieu of the more intact vestibular or somatosensory systems.
Keyword(s): aging/older adult issues, measurement/evaluation, research

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