Body Awareness and Dance-Based Training for Persons with Acquired Blindness—Effects on Balance and Gait Speed

Abstract

Background: Visual impairment may cause difficulties with motor skills involving postural control. As a part of rehabilitation, it is important to assess whether training can affect postural control in individuals with visual impairment. Aim: The purpose was to assess the effect of body awareness exercises and dance-based training on balance and gait speed in individuals of working age with acquired blindness. Method: Eight subjects with acquired blindness, aged 30-62 years, were recruited from the Low Vision Clinic of Stockholm. An ABA Single Subject Research Design was used. Results of one-leg stance, functional reach, maximum step length, timed up and go, and self-selected and maximum gait speeds were inspected visually and analyzed according to the 2-SD band method. The intervention included body awareness exercises and dance-based training twice a week for eight weeks. Results: Seven subjects completed the study. According to the 2-SD band technique, functional reach increased significantly in six of the subjects and was the variable that changed the most. Timed Up and Go decreased significantly in one subject and was the variable that changed the least. In one subject there was no change in any of the variables. Conclusion: According to the results, the main improvement was in the ability to reach forward. In some subjects, however, there was also improvement in other balance functions and in gait speed. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of body awareness and dance-based training in blind individuals.

Physical Activity Patterns in Adults Who Are Blind as Assessed by Accelerometry

“…Our results suggest that the low levels of physical activity previously demonstrated in childhood and adolescence continue into adulthood. It is important to note that although visual impairments seem to be one of the disabilities associated with a higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyles (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000), it has been shown that it is pos sible to motivate persons who are blind to be more active and that exercise programs could improve several components of physical fitness (Larsson & Frandin, 2006;Miszko, Ramsey, & Blasch, 2004;Surakka & Kivela, 2008).…”

Physical activity interventions for adults who are visually impaired: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Of these, three used the Otago exercise programme,30 33 34 three used general physical activity training programme aiming to improve balance29 35 36 and one used the Matter of Balance programme 37 38. The remaining interventions were based on other forms of physical activity including walking (n=1),31 tai chi (n=2),39 40 Alexander technique (n=1),25 26 Yoga (n=2),41 42 dance (n=1),43 aerobics (n=1)27 and core stability training (n=1) 28. One study used a falls prevention programme (FallProof) as a control, comparing to a dance-based intervention programme 32.…”

On the use of a six‐level scale for physical activity

“…The first studies using the version published by Mattiasson‐Nilo et al (Table ) originated from the research group in Gothenburg, Sweden in a population study of elderly persons aiming at improving their PA level. The scale has then been used in other Swedish studies, such as in those by Rydwik as the first author regarding physical training in elderly persons, by Larsson & Frändin on dance‐based training in persons with acquired blindness, by Lammes et al regarding physical training in frail elderly persons, by Kollén et al on physical functioning in older persons with dizziness. Jarnlo & Nordell used it in a methodological study on a balance performance test on elderly people and Mosallanezhad et al when comparing physical activity and physical functioning in 75‐year‐old‐Swedish and Iranian persons.…”