Vision is critical for human balance. Visual impairment (VI) decreases the ability of individuals to maintain balance and greatly impacts the activities of daily living. Hence, the purpose of this study is to assess balance in individuals with VI using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale regarding its correlation with fall risk. A total of 88 participants were eligible for this study. We administered pre-tested questionnaires for demographic conditions and history of falls after recruiting participants; following that, BBS and ABC Scale tests were conducted for the participants. A t -test was used to determine statistically significant differences between the means in the fall and non-fall groups. A Pearson bivariate correlation test and linear regression were used to determine the existence of relationships between BBS and ABC variables. In all, 51 participants in this study had experienced falls within 1 year (fall group), while 37 participants had falls over the past 1 year (non-fall group). The fall group had a lower mean of BBS (49) and ABC (69) scores than the non-fall group; also, there was a significant correlation between the BBS and ABC Scales ( p < .05). The type of VI and sex also had significant differences in the risk of falls. These findings suggest that individuals with VIs should raise their awareness about improving aspects of balance in the body with specific exercise and training to minimize the risk of falls.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify whether the motor imagery of walking and physical function are related in mild hemiplegic stroke patients. [Participants and Methods] Sixteen mild hemiplegic stroke patients were included in this study. We evaluated motor imagery with a 10-m walking, the estimation error and the kinesthetic and visual imagery questionnaire. Physical function was evaluated with the actual 10-m walk test time, Brunnstrom recovery stage, stroke impairment assessment set, and functional independent measure. The correlation coefficient was calculated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient for all evaluation methods. [Results] The 10-m walking motor imagery took an average of 23.36 ± 22.14 s. The actual 10-m walk test averaged 24.87 ± 21.41 s. The 10-m walking motor imagery and the 10-m walking speed were significantly correlated. There was a significant correlation between the 10-m walking motor imagery and the Brunnstrom recovery stage, stroke impairment assessment set, and functional independent measure. There were no significant correlations between the estimation error and all the assessments. [Conclusion] These results show that the motor imagery of walking is related to physical function in mild hemiplegic stroke patients.

Background: Motor estimation error is an index of how accurately one’s body movement is recognized. This study determines whether motor estimation error distance is a Parkinson’s disease (PD)- or age-related disability using a two-step task. Methods: The participants were 19 PD patients and 58 elderly people with disabilities. A two-step prediction test and an actual two-step test were performed. The motor estimation error distance (prediction of two-step distance minus actual two-step distance) and error rate between the two groups were compared. We conducted a correlation analysis between the motor estimation error and clinical factor (e.g., Hoehn and Yahr stage (H & Y), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)) related to PD. Results: The motor estimation error distance was not significantly different between the PD patient group and the elderly group with disabilities. However, significant correlations between motor estimation error and H & Y, and between motor estimation error and UPDRS part II, were observed. The error rate was significantly correlated with the Fall Efficacy Scale. Conclusions: The motor estimation error distance is influenced by both aging and PD.