Clinical Assessment of Functional Movement in Adults with Visual Impairments (Research Reports‪)‬

Adults with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) have significantly more health risks than do sighted adults because of a number of factors, including the lower mineral density of their femoral neck bones, which is indicative of reduced weight-bearing exercise; their lesser maximal strength; and their higher rates of stroke, osteoporosis, depression, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, and falls (Crews & Campbell, 2001; Uusi-Rasi, Sievanen, Rinne, Oja, & Vuori, 2001). A contributing factor is that individuals who are visually impaired are less physically active than are sighted individuals (Crews & Campbell, 2001). These factors play a significant role in the quality of life of persons who are visually impaired and can affect their independent movement. The physiological changes in addition to the loss of vision to preview the environment can result in decreased movement and increased restrictions on movement. During the aging process, balance and overall mobility are affected as people lose some of their ability to use vision, proprioception, and vestibular information (Lusardi, Pellecchia, & Schulman, 2003). However, the movement of individuals who are visually impaired may diminish much earlier because of changes in behavior (the adoption of a more sedentary lifestyle); if these changes in behavior are not reversed, they could lead to a reduced quality of life as the individuals continue to age and experience a greater incidence of falls or frailty late in life. The relationship or impact of the visual, somatosensory (proprioceptive), and vestibular systems on mobility for these individuals has not been sufficiently addressed. The purpose of this investigation was to investigate the movement of adults with visual impairments using two common clinical measures to gain a better understanding of the impact of vision loss on movement and health in adults who are visually impaired. Documentation of this information is an important step in understanding the functional limitations resulting from vision loss and the eventual development of interventions and rehabilitation programs to remediate those limitations.