Comparison of Foot Pressure Variables in Blind and Healthy Participants with Open and Closed Eyes While Walking

Measurement of foot pressure variables can be used to assess the loads to which the human body is subjected in normal activities, like walking, or in more demanding situations such as sports. The purpose of this study was to compare the foot pressure variables in blind and healthy individuals with open and closed eyes during walking.

The present study was a quasi-experimental and laboratory study with pretest-posttest design. The statistic samples included 13 blind men with the mean age of 29.05±3.28 years and 17 healthy men with the mean age of 24.22±1.31  years  participated in this study and were selected by available sampling method.. A foot scan (RS Scan International, Belgium) set was used for measuring planter pressure during walking. Variables data were recorded at a sampling frequency of 300 Hz. For data analysis, paired t-test was run to compare the means within the group; also, independent t-test run to compare the means between the groups using SPSS ver. 16 statistical software.

The results showed that the peak reaction time of the ground reaction force during the heel contact phase was 45.89% higher than blind people compared to the normal participants (p<0.023). The time to peak of vertical force during mid stance in the blind people was 38.97% more than in normal people with closed eyes (p<0.013). The peak vertical loading rate in the blind people was 41.65% lower than normal participants with closed eyes while walking (p<0/003).

Congenital blind people have less stance time in comparison with the healthy people with closed eyes. Decreased walking stance time seems to be related to improved their other senses that requires further research.