Effect of home-based balance training with intermittent visual deprivation on balance and gait control in people with incomplete spinal cord injury

Background: Following an incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI), despite most of individuals regain standing balance and walking abilities after participation in a rehabilitation program, post-lesion performance of such fundamental motor skills continues to be significantly affected, resulting in a major challenge for injured people during the activities of daily living. As suggested by prior research, standing balance deficits in individuals with iSCI are caused due to somatosensory impairments occurring after the lesion. Additionally, intact visual system seems to dominate over the altered somatosensory and proprioceptive systems, with an increased reliance on visual inputs by people with iSCI when maintaining standing balance. Recently, advanced technology conceived special eyewear with liquid-crystal lenses that produce intermittent vision obstruction. This special eyewear allows individuals to perform dynamic, functional tasks that, otherwise, could be not performed under a complete visual obstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of intermittent visual deprivation integrated to a period of home-based balance training in influencing balance and gait performances in individuals with iSCI. Methods: 10 individuals (7 men and 3 women) with chronic iSCI, ASIA level D, were enrolled for this study. Individuals were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 5) that underwent balance training with visual deprivation, and a placebo control group (n = 5) that underwent the same balance exercises program with no visual deprivation (non-active glasses). Balance training program was performed at home and lasted 6 weeks, 3 times per week. Before and after the training, balance and gait skills were assessed. Results: Both two groups with iSCI benefited the balance training program. However, differences were found between experimental group and placebo control group. Conclusions: Preliminary finding suggests that the use of eyeglasses which intermittently obstruct vision can influence the effect of balance training programs in subjects with iSCI.