Changes in plantar load distribution in legally blind subjects

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 15;16(4):e0249467. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249467. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

We investigated the impact of visual impairment on balance control. We measured the center of pressure (COP) between the two feet and plantar surface pressures on each foot in 18 normal-sighted participants and compared their data with measures from 18 legally blind participants, either acquired or congenital. Pressures were measured in open- and closed-eye conditions using a baropodometric resistive plate. In the eyes-open condition, there were no differences between the sighted and legally blind groups in COP displacement. However, participants with visual loss had significantly increased pressures in two metatarsal regions (M1 and M2 zones) of the plantar surface in both viewing conditions (p < 0.05). The differences in pressure measures between the normally sighted and legally blind groups could be attributed mainly to the subgroup of subjects with acquired impairment. Our findings suggest that subjects with visual impairment present increased metatarsal pressures (i.e. forefoot), not yet associated to anterior displacement of COP or impaired balance control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Foot / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metatarsal Bones / physiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Postural Balance
  • Pressure
  • Visually Impaired Persons
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by: APESPA, 2019/589349, Mr Anselmo Athayde Costa e Silva Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (BR), 431748/2016-0, Mr Givago Silva Souza Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, 310845/2018-1, Mr Givago Silva Souza. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.