@article{article_1606433, title={The Comparison of Balance and Coordination Between Congenitally Blind and Sighted Individuals}, journal={Ergoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Dergisi}, volume={13}, pages={258–266}, year={2025}, DOI={10.30720/ered.1606433}, author={Albayrak, Havva Ezgi and Çakmak, Özge and Atıcı, Emine and Perçin, Alper}, keywords={Posture Balance, Blindness, Vision Disorders}, abstract={Purpose: Vision is a system that plays a role in the maintenance of static and dynamic posture and coordination of movements, and sustaining balance. The aim of this study was to compare the balance and coordination functions between congenitally blind and sighted individuals and to determine the role of vision in maintaining balance. Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, a total of 37 participants (19 congenitally blind and 18 sighted sedentary individuals) aged between 18 and 40 years were included. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Balance Test (TBT), and Tinetti Gait Test (TGT) scales were measured in both groups. Results: A significant difference was found in BBS, TBT, and TGT scales between congenitally blind and sighted individual groups (p <0.05). BBS, TBT, and TGT scores were lower in the congenitally blind group. There was a positive moderate statistically significant relationship between BBS and TBT (r=0.676, p <0.05), BBS and TGT (r=0.601, p <0.05) in all participants. In the congenitally blind and sighted groups, there was a positive moderate statistically significant relationship between BBS and TBT (r=0.632, p <0.05), and between BBS and TBT (r=0.642, p <0.05), respectively. However, there was no significant relationship between BBS and TGT in the congenitally blind and sighted groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study confirmed the effect of vision on balance. Balance problems in people with congenital blindness should be assessed, and exercises to improve balance should be carried out.}, number={3}, publisher={Hacettepe University}