The Effect of Combined Vestibula-Proprioceptive Training on Postural Control in Children with Visual Impairment: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Mahla Armanfar 1
Hassan Daneshmandi 2
1 MSc, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injury, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Corrective Exercises and Sports Injury, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
10.48305/jrrs.2026.46102.1133
Abstract
Introduction: Reduced visual input in children with visual impairments can negatively affect postural control and motor performance. In such conditions, the vestibular and proprioceptive systems play a crucial compensatory role. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined vestibular - proprioceptive training conducted in a school setting on postural control, knee joint position sense, and locomotor skills in children with Visual Impairment, as well as the retention of these effects after a two-month follow-up period.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study included 20 boys with Visual Impairment aged 7-10 years who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in combined vestibular - proprioceptive exercises for eight weeks, while the control group received no intervention. Outcome measures were assessed at pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Significant intergroup differences were observed for group effect, time effect, and group × time interaction (P ≤ 0.001), with medium to large effect sizes. In the experimental group, significant improvements were found in postural control, knee joint position sense, and locomotor skills in both pre-test to post-test and pre-test to follow-up comparisons (P ≤ 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between post-test and follow-up for locomotor skills (P = 0.058). In the control group, no significant changes were found across assessment times in any of the studied variables (P ≥ 0.05).
Conclusion: Combined vestibular - proprioceptive training implemented in school settings can effectively improve postural control and locomotor skills in children with Visual Impairment and may be incorporated into daily rehabilitation programs in schools for students with visual impairments. Nevertheless, further studies are required to confirm and generalize these findings.

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