Frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces in deaf and blind people during walking

The link between frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces and hearing loss and blindness during walking is not well understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces in deaf and blind people during walking.

This study was quasi-experimental. The volunteer participants in the current study consisted of thirty males who were divided into three equal groups: blind, deaf, and healthy (control) groups. Frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces in three groups was recorded by a foot scan system (sample rate: 300 Hz). The multivariate ANOVA test was used to compare between groups. The significance level was set at P<0.05 for all analyses.

The results showed that the frequency content with the power of 99.5% in the vertical component of ground reaction forces in both deaf (P=0.020) and blind (P=0.021) groups was reduced vs the control group. Also, frequency content with the power of 99.5% in the mid-foot in the deaf (P=0.020) group was more than the blind group (P=0.036).

The present study showed that the frequency content with the power of 99.5% in the mid-foot in the deaf group was more than the blind group. It can be stated that the frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces has a clinical value. Therefore, the use of therapeutic interventions to improve the frequency domain analysis of ground reaction forces in deaf and blind people is suggested.