The Effect of Physical Exercise on Controlling Balance among the Visually Impaired Elderly using Auditory-Vibratory Alarming Feedback Device

The quality of stability which refers to balance defined as the power to maintain center of mass in relation to base of support. Considering the fact that elderly who are visually impaired encounter problems related to keep balance and its effect on their social activities, the aim of the current research is to study the effect of physical exercise on using audio-vibratory alarming feedback device on controlling balance among the elderly who are visually impaired.

Thirty elderly visually impaired whose being impaired is confirmed through taking Snellen test and properties were randomly chosen and divided into two groups to exercise in two situations with physical exercise and physical exercise using biological feedback device. The exercise was of two types of tasks- standing alone or walking along with kinetic and thinking tasks. The elderly chosen for this test participated in post and pre balance test using stabilometr. The groups exercised for 12 weeks and twice a week. To analyze data, we applied analysis variance using repetitive measures (ANOVA).

The results have shown that physical exercise without using biological feedback device have an effect on visually impaired elderly (P = 0.001) Also, physical exercise using biological feedback device have an effect the balance of visually impaired elderly (P = 0.001). The results of independent t between the two groups in post-test test showed a significant difference on balance. I.e. the exercise group using device has shown a better performance related to the balance. (P = 0.035).

We concluded that doing exercises using alarming feedback device can improve balance criteria. In this regard, multi-sensory manipulations based on substitution and adapting approaches can lead to even better results and increase its effectiveness.