Postural balance problems in people with intellectual disabilities: Do not forget the sensory input systems

This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of visual, auditory and vestibular dysfunctions on the postural balance performance in adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, a comparison was made between the subjects with intellectual disabilities and a control group concerning static and dynamic balance tasks.

Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities and 25 control subjects received a postural balance assessment. Additionally, the experimental group was subjected to a visual, auditory and vestibular screening.

The experimental group performed significantly worse and/or showed more sway compared to the control group for all balance tasks (p < .01) except the timed up and go test. Within the experimental group, a significant positive correlation (r_s (24) = 0.513, p = .007) was observed between the number of failed sensory screening items and the number of failed balance tasks.

These findings suggest significant involvement of peripheral sensorial deficits in the balance problems that people with intellectual disabilities often experience.