Effect of Six Weeks of Vestibular Stimulation Exercises on the Balance and Motor Function of the Blind

Less training, along with a lack of visual symptoms, leads to less movement in people with visual impairment. This inactivity causes a delay in motor growth, and movement as the most important factor in the survival of each person is an important factor in promoting the health of disabled children. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of vestibular stimulation exercises on balance and motor performance of the blind.

In the current quasi-experimental study, 30 males and females were randomly selected from the blind volunteers and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. After selecting the students and obtaining their consent to participate in the training program, dynamic balance was measured using TUG test and motor function using tinetti test as pre-intervention. The experimental group participated in the training for six weeks (3 sessions per week, each session for 30 minutes). Finally, the pre-intervention tests were repeated as post-intervention. Data were analyzed using independent and dependent t-test at a significance level of 0.05.

The results showed that after six weeks of vestibular stimulation training, there was a significant improvement in the dynamic balance and motor function scores of the experimental group compared to the pre-exercise period of the vestibular stimulation exercises. However, there was no significant change in the control group.                                                                         

According to the results, it seems that vestibular stimulation exercises are effective on dynamic balance and motor function of the individuals. Considering the importance of mobility and balance, especially in children with visual impairment, it is recommended that vestibular stimulation exercises be used as an effective method for the physical mobility of these people.