University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Doi
Abstract
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a condition characterized by recurrent ankle sprains. Those with CAI are described as visually reliant due to postural control deficits observed under fully occluded visual conditions. Little is known about the influence of partially occluded vision on postural control in those with CAI. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of CAI on postural control under progressive levels of visual occlusion and relate postural control under these conditions to visual function and sensory integration in those with CAI. Thirty-five participants with CAI and sixteen controls completed postural control assessments under four visual conditions:1) eyes-open, 2) low-occlusion, 3) high-occlusion, and 4) eyes-closed. Participants also completed visual performance (Senaptec Sensory Station) and sensory integration (Sensory Organization Test) assessments. Both groups demonstrated worse postural control under limited-vision conditions compared to eyes-open. Some measures of visual performance predicted postural control under both eyes-open and limited-vision conditions.Master of Art
