Resource type
Date created
2018-01-01
Authors/Contributors
Author: Miller, Andreas B.
Author: Lajoie, Kim
Author: Strath, Robert A.
Author: Neima, David R.
Author: Marigold, Daniel S.
Abstract
Purpose: Vision normally provides environmental information necessary to direct the foot to safe locations during walking. Peripheral visual field loss limits what a person can see, and may alter how a person visually samples the environment. Here we tested the hypothesis that the spatial-temporal coupling between gaze and stepping in a precision-based walking task is altered in persons with glaucoma, particularly under dual task situations, and results in reduced footplacement accuracy.
Methods: Twenty persons with glaucoma and twenty normally-sighted controls performed a precision walking task that involved stepping to the center of four targets under three conditions: targets only, walking and counting backwards to simulate a conversation, and walking while performing a concurrent visual search task to simulate locating a landmark. We quantified footplacement error and error variability with respect to the targets, as well as saccade and fixation timing with respect to foot placement.
Results: Compared to controls, persons with glaucoma looked earlier at future stepping targets (with respect to toe-off of the foot) in the targets only and count conditions, and transferred gaze away sooner from the current stepping target in all conditions (p < 0.05). Persons with glaucoma also had increased foot-placement error, particularly in the count condition, and increased footplacement error variability compared to normally-sighted controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Glaucoma significantly disrupts gaze-foot coordination and results in less accurate foot placement when precision is required during walking. This may increase the risk of trips and falls in this population.
Methods: Twenty persons with glaucoma and twenty normally-sighted controls performed a precision walking task that involved stepping to the center of four targets under three conditions: targets only, walking and counting backwards to simulate a conversation, and walking while performing a concurrent visual search task to simulate locating a landmark. We quantified footplacement error and error variability with respect to the targets, as well as saccade and fixation timing with respect to foot placement.
Results: Compared to controls, persons with glaucoma looked earlier at future stepping targets (with respect to toe-off of the foot) in the targets only and count conditions, and transferred gaze away sooner from the current stepping target in all conditions (p < 0.05). Persons with glaucoma also had increased foot-placement error, particularly in the count condition, and increased footplacement error variability compared to normally-sighted controls (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: Glaucoma significantly disrupts gaze-foot coordination and results in less accurate foot placement when precision is required during walking. This may increase the risk of trips and falls in this population.
Document
Identifier
DOI: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000000819
Publication details
Publication title
Journal of Glaucoma
Document title
Coordination of Gaze Behavior and Foot Placement During Walking in Persons With Glaucoma
Publisher
World Glaucoma Association
Date
2018-01
Volume
27
Issue
1
First page
55
Last page
63
Publisher DOI
10.1097/IJG.0000000000000819
Published article URL
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Member of collection
Download file | Size |
---|---|
Miller_etal_2018.pdf | 1.21 MB |