Abstract
Falls among older adults pose significant health risks, often resulting from age-related decline in the somatosensory system and increased reliance on vision for balance. This research aims to develop an innovative training method to enhance balance and walking ability in older adults through sensory re-weighting. We propose a two-week intervention involving adults over 65, comparing balance exercises performed on an unstable platform with and without visual restriction. The primary objective is to encourage greater reliance on the somatosensory system for maintaining balance by temporarily limiting visual input during training. Participants will be divided into groups, with some wearing blindfolds during exercises. Pre- and post-training assessments will be measured during gait initiation and dual-task walking to evaluate improvements in balance control and walking automaticity. We hypothesize that participants training with restricted vision will demonstrate greater enhancements in balance control and walking stability compared to those training with normal vision, potentially leading to improved balance maintenance during multitasking and reduced fall risk. This study is the first to investigate the effects of vision-restricted balance training on older adults' walking and balance abilities. The findings could inform new rehabilitation strategies for fall prevention, aligning with the American Physical Therapy Association's goals for understanding physical therapy benefits in aging populations. If successful, this research will lay the groundwork for future studies exploring various visual manipulations during balance training and their impact on walking and balance. By encouraging the brain to rely more on non-visual sensory inputs, this method may enhance overall balance control and walking stability, ultimately improving older adults' ability to navigate their environment safely.