Influence of Sensory Integration and Visual Performance on Postural Control Under Differing Levels of Visual Occlusion in Those With Chronic Ankle Instability

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) have postural control deficits and appear to be more reliant on visual information to maintain balance. The underlying cause of this visual reliance remains unknown. Our purpose was to determine how sensory integration and visual performance influence postural control under different visual occlusion levels in those with CAI. Sensory integration ability, as measured by the Sensory Organization Test, was not associated with postural control in those with CAI. Visual performance variables, such as perception span, depth perception, and target capture explained between 13% and 45% of postural control variance across visual occlusion levels. The results suggest that improving visual performance in those with CAI may improve postural control across levels of visual occlusion.