Balance of children with visual impairment: Effectiveness of game-like exercises at home protocol

Balance is one of the key components of most physical activities. To control balance and choose a balance strategy, vision plays a crucial role in processing visual inputs.

The present study aimed to design and implement game-like exercises protocol and determine its effectiveness on the static and dynamic balance of children with visual impairment.

It was a quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest and control group design. A total of 35 visually impaired children referring to the counselling centers were selected using purposeful convenience sampling method. After matching, the samples were assigned into an experimental group (n=18) and a control group (n=17). The experimental group received 24-60min-training sessions. The required data was gathered using the Stork Balance Stand and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests for visually impaired children. The collected data was analysed using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

The obtained results showed a significant difference in the means of the static balance test (p<0.01) and the dynamic balance test (p<0.01) between subjects of the experimental and control groups.

Considering the effectiveness of the game-like exercises on improving the balance of children with visual impairment, these games are suggested be daily implemented at home.