Postural Balance Problems in People with Intellectual Disabilities: Do Not Forget the Sensory Input Systems

Background: This pilot study aimed to explore the impact of visual, auditory and vestibular dysfunctions on the postural balance performance in adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, a comparison was made between the subjects with intellectual disabilities and a control group concerning static and dynamic balance tasks. Method: Thirty adults with intellectual disabilities and 25 control subjects received a postural balance assessment. Additionally, the experimental group was subjected to a visual, auditory and vestibular screening. Results: The experimental group performed significantly worse and/or showed more sway compared to the control group for all balance tasks (p < 0.01) except the timed up and go test. Within the experimental group, a significant positive correlation (r[subscript s](24) = 0.513, p = 0.007) was observed between the number of failed sensory screening items and the number of failed balance tasks. Conclusions: These findings suggest significant involvement of peripheral sensorial deficits in the balance problems that people with intellectual disabilities often experience.