Compensatory Analysis and Strategies for Balance in Individuals with Visual Impairments

Abstract

This study analyzed various components and compensatory strategies of balance in individuals with visual impairments. It found that people with visual impairments use different strategies to maintain balance than do sighted people, in an effort to trade efficiency for safety.A common problem associated with a visual impairment (blindness or low vision) is the use of sensory and vestibular information to establish patterns of movement and positions in space (efficient movement). Spatial concepts and the use of these concepts are required to maintain a base of support and center of gravity before one initiates a movement (Pereira, 1990). Concurrently, individuals must respond to changes in the environment by modifying and self-correcting their movement. For example, when a change in terrain or obstacles is encountered, they need to change their gait patterns to accommodate these changes.People with visual impairments place a greater demand on somatosensory and vestibular information to establish movement patterns, and their positions in space are compromised by the lack of vision or This study was supported by a grant from the Rehabilitation Research R&D Center, Atlanta VAMedical Center. minimal vision. Their orientation and mobility (O&M) depend on using sensory information other than vision to initiate changes in the center of gravity and in the base of support before they initiate a movement. Their standing balance is diminished because the loss of vision affects the vestibular system via feedback from the visual system (Maeda, Nakamuro, Otomo, Higuchi, & Motohashi, 1998). In addition, other compensatory mechanisms must provide the sensory input that is used to initiate movement and to complete the response if vision is not available or restricted. Although it appears that vision is essential for balance, especially in children, the lack of vision does not explain the movement difficulties that many individuals may encounter (Stones & Kozma, 1987).From a review of the literature, it is evident that visual impairments may affect movement in a variety of ways. For example, it is evident that major differences in movement between people who are sighted and those who are visually impaired occur

Relationship Between Orthostatic Blood Pressure Changes and Postural Sway When Standing up from a Chair in Older Adult Females

“…Changes in the motor and sensory functions are also considered to be responsible for the augmentation of postural instability 32,33 . There is some evidence that reduced lower extremity strength is associated with poor balance and a greater risk of falls 34,35 .…”

Static balance control and lower limb strength in blind and sighted women

“…It has been suggested that in blind individuals, strength contributes to the maintenance of postural stability by correcting lower extremity movements (Horvat et al 2003;Shumway-Cook and Woollacot 2001). However, in our study, despite the increased sway in blind compared to sighted individuals, there were no differences in isometric and concentric strength of the knee extensors and flexors, and ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors (Fig.…”

“…Muscle strength is essential for posture and stability (Horvat et al 2003;Shumway-Cook and Woollacot 2001). Muscle forces coupled with kinematic adjustments, especially around the knee and the ankle, are used to maintain stability and to prevent falls (Horvat et al 2004;Horvat et al 2003;Shumway-Cook and Woollacot 2001).…”

“…Muscle forces coupled with kinematic adjustments, especially around the knee and the ankle, are used to maintain stability and to prevent falls (Horvat et al 2004;Horvat et al 2003;Shumway-Cook and Woollacot 2001). In fact, research has showed that the best balance score occurred in individuals with stronger knee and ankle muscles (Jadelis et al 2001;Messier et al 2002).…”

Analysing the postural and gait behaviour of a person with retinitis pigmentosa travelling with a guide dog

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