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Sheikh A.1, Moffat M.1
1New York University, Physical Therapy, New York, United States
Background: Dancers are taught to learn choreography and movement by looking into a mirror placed in front of them. It is, however, uncertain how visual feedback from a mirror can influence postural control in dancers, especially when they have ankle instability.
Purpose: To determine the effect of mirror feedback on the center of pressure (COP) based sway area and velocity in dancers with ankle instability while performing the One-Leg Stance Test and the Star Excursion Balance Test on a force plate.
Methods: Thirteen individuals were requested to stand barefoot on a force plate and perform the One Leg Stance Test and the Star Excursion Balance Test using a mirror for feedback and without a mirror. An independent samples t-test, univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and Pearson correlation was conducted to assess the differences in the COP sway area and velocity. Significant differences would imply that the use of mirror feedback affected the sway area and velocity in this study.
Results: The independent samples t-test showed no significant difference between the use of right and left legs and sway area (CI = 95%, p = .238) and average sway velocity (CI = 95%, p = .820) No significant differences were found between the use of mirror and no mirror and sway area (CI = 95%, p = .215) and average sway velocity (CI = 95%, p = .700) Significant differences were found between the balance test and sway area (CI = 95%, p value = .000), but no significant difference in balance test and average sway velocity (CI = 95%, p = .978). The univariate analysis of variance showed no significant differences in sway area, standing leg (CI = 95%, p = .536) and most involved leg (CI = 95%, p = .450). No significant differences were found in average sway velocity, standing leg (CI = 95%, p = .277), and most involved leg (CI = 95%, p = .839). A moderate correlation was found between sway area and balance test
(r = .748, p value = .000). Mean sway area was 1102.61 mm2 with the mirror and 1335.89 mm2 without the mirror. Mean sway velocity was 128.84 mm/s with the mirror and 138.86 mm/s without the mirror.
Conclusion(s): Mirror feedback provides the individual with an increased ability to control balance. This study shows that not only is the effect of mirror feedback on balance determined by population group, but age, task and skill set are determining factors as well.
Implications: It is advised that dancers and their therapist together determine the benefit of looking at a mirror for feedback during rehabilitation.
Mirrors are often used as a tool to enhance postural control during rehabilitation of athletes and elderly. Several studies have shown that instant visual feedback provided by a mirror is beneficial in regaining balance and resulting in smaller sway area.
Funding acknowledgements: This study was conducted at New York University Steinhardt Master of Arts program and was not funded by external sources.
Topic: Human movement analysis
Ethics approval: This study was approved by the New York Universitys Institutional Review Board.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
