Effects Of Stroboscopic Vision On Postural Control In Individuals With And Without Chronic Ankle Instability

Abstract

Objectives: Patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) tend to increase their reliance on visual information, perhaps to compensate for proprioceptive deficits which appear after lateral ankle sprains. However, little is known about how limited visual feedback would alter static postural control in patients with CAI compared with copers and controls. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of reduced visual feedback via stroboscopic glasses on static balance among CAI, coper, and uninjured control participants. Design: Controlled trial in a laboratory setting. Methods: Nineteen patients with CAI, 19 copers, and 19 controls participated in this study. Each participant performed a single-leg balance test with eyes open, stroboscopic vision, and eyes closed. Two-way analysis of variance (group × condition) was used to examine the differences between condition (eyes open, stroboscopic vision, and eyes closed) and group (CAI, coper, and control). Results: There were no significant interactions for static balance. Although there were no group effects among 3 groups for all static postural control measures, visual condition main effects were present (P < .01) for each dependent variable. Across all groups, anterior–posterior and mediolateral center of pressure path length and center of pressure velocity with stroboscopic vision were greater than the condition with eyes open (P < .01) and less than with eyes closed (P < .01). Conclusions: Stroboscopic glasses could be cost effective visual disruption equipment during static postural control regardless of ankle injury history. However, incorporating static balance with limited visual information via stroboscopic glasses could not display the differences in visual reliance in individuals with and without CAI.