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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
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Human Fear Conditioning Conducted in Full Immersion 3-Dimensional Virtual Reality
Published on: August 9, 2010
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Delayed Postural Responses to Fear of Falling During Gait Initiation in Low Vision: Insights from
Mansoo Ko1, Praveena K Gupta2, Gregory Brusola1
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1144, USA.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 13, 2026
Summary
People with low vision (LV) experience greater fear of falling (FOF) than healthy individuals. This fear leads to significant postural delays during gait initiation, comparable to extreme virtual reality-induced fear.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics and Motor Control
- Ophthalmology and Vision Science
- Gerontology and Rehabilitation
Background:
- Fear of falling (FOF) is a significant concern for individuals with low vision (LV).
- Altered postural control and increased fall risk are prevalent in the LV population.
- Gait initiation (GI) is a critical phase where balance is challenged.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the severity of FOF in people with LV compared to healthy controls.
- To compare gait initiation temporal events between healthy individuals and those with LV.
- To investigate the impact of simulated fear on postural adjustments in healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 14 adults with LV and 14 age-gender-matched healthy adults.
- Assessed FOF using the Falls Efficacy Scale International.
- Compared temporal gait initiation events using independent t-tests and ANOVA, including conditions with a sight simulator (SS) and virtual reality (VR).
Main Results:
- Individuals with LV reported significantly higher FOF than healthy controls.
- Participants with LV exhibited prolonged anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) durations during GI compared to healthy controls and SS conditions.
- Postural delays in LV were characterized by extended initial anticipation, similar in severity to fear induced by VR environments.
Conclusions:
- Low vision is associated with a conservative motor strategy during gait initiation, prioritizing stability.
- The postural hesitations observed in LV are comparable to those induced by significant fear.
- Multidisciplinary rehabilitation focusing on sensory reweighting and FOF interventions is crucial for improving postural control and reducing fall risk in LV.
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