Abstract:

Aim: Visual information is very important in predicting the speed of body segments and objects and providing balance, as well as in the timing of psychomotor responses. The maintenance of posture and balance is negatively affected by partial or total loss of vision. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of static and dynamic balance training on balance in children with congenital blindness. Materials and methods: The study included 18 congenitally blind children, comprising 9 males and 9 females with a mean age of 10.94 ± 1.89 years. All participants were attending a special primary/secondary school for the blind. Balance functions were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the training program using the  Balance Subtests of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test Short Form (BOT-2, SF), Timed Up and Go Test, the Functional Reach Test and the One Legged Stance Test. The training program of static and dynamic balance exercises was applied twice weekly for 8 weeks. Results: A significant improvement was determined in all the balance tests after the training program (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that balance-specific static and dynamic exercises contribute to improvements in the balance of children with congenital blindness. Therefore, balance exercises should be to rehabilitation programs to improve the balance of children with congenital blindness

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