Adaptative effects of loss of vision on upright undisturbed stance

In order to evaluate the long term effect of blindness on an undisturbed postural task, seven blind individuals (BLI) were compared to twelve healthy individuals (REF) who were required to close their eyes. To this aim, centre of pressure (CP) trajectories were recorded through a force platform on which the subjects remained upright. Through a low-pass filter, the vertical projection of the centre of gravity (CG(v)) and consequently the difference CP-CG(v) were estimated. The former represents the controlled variable whilst the latter is assumed to express the resultant joint stiffness. A first analysis consisted in studying the frequency distribution of these motions. Increased mean amplitudes in both elementary motions and no difference between frequency distributions were observed for the BLI when compared to the REF group. These trajectories were then modelled as a fractional Brownian motion process in order to gain insight about the nature of the control mechanisms called into play and their spatio-temporal organisation. Moreover, the main characteristic observed in the BLI group is a decreased in CP-CG(v) motions, which, according to Winter's model, may be related to joint stiffness. In addition, reduced spatial transition point co-ordinates and more deterministic control mechanisms aimed at returning the estimated CG to an equilibrium point during the longest Deltat were observed. This phenomenon is more pronounced in the antero-posterior direction and also allows the blind subject to significantly diminish their CG sways. Finally, these features are discussed in relation to other similarly analysed investigations.