Evaluation of Gait Variability in Deafness and Comparing it with Normal-hearing Listeners After a Course of Interventional Proprioceptive Training

Objective: Gait variability index is an important index in the clinical treatment of people with walking problems. Since the variability of gait behavior in deaf people has not been evaluated so far, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the walking variability of deaf people and compare it with normal-hearing listeners. Methods: The statistical population of this study was deaf and hearing-impaired people living in Hamedan. Among them 10 deaf people (ranging in age from 8 to 14 years) volunteering to participate in the study, as well as 10 people with normal hearing with similar age and anthropometric characteristics. In this study, the vicon 3D motion analysis system was used to measure the kinematic variables for walking in deaf and normal-hearing listeners. According to the research design, paired sample t-test will be used for comparison within groups and independent sample t test will be used for comparison between groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software with P <0.05 as the level of significance. Results: The results of the present study showed that the gait variability after interventional proprioceptive training decreased in the deaf group, but this change was not significant (p>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups before and after the exercises (p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that balance training based on  interventional proprioceptive training be incorporated in the physical education program of these children with emphasis on improving balance systems, especially interventional proprioceptive training.