Postural assessment for people with severe visual impairment

Abstract

According to Latvia's statistical data, for the first time during the period from 2005 up to 2011, more than 3115 people were registered with the eye and it's parts diseases. The aim of the study was to assess postural parameter for people with severe visual impairment. The study involved visually impaired Social Care Center “JUGLA” occupiers, with the 1st and the 2nd visual impairments disability group. Participants were interviewed, posture was assessed (Kendall) and anthropometric measurements were taken. The majority – 53.6% the study participants were 1st group visual handicaps (mean age 47.9 ± 10.6 years). 82.1% the study participants had a straight backbone in the frontal plane. The cervical spine of 10.7% the participants had a normal position in the sagittal plane, for 32.1% the participants normal position was observed in the thoracic spine and for 39.3% – in lumbar spine. Faulty postural alignment in frontal and sagittal plane was equally often observed for the 1st as well as for the 2nd group visual handicaps. The most common postural type in the sagittal plane for the participants was kyphotic – lordotic posture.