Analysis of user characteristics related to drop-off detection with long cane

作者：Kim Dae Shik^*; Emerson Robert Wall; Curtis Amy

来源：Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 2010, 47(3): 233-242.

DOI：10.1682/JRRD.2009.10.0175

• age
• blind
• cane user
• detection threshold
• drop-off detection
• long cane technique
• older adults
• onset of visual impairment
• orientation and mobility
• visually impaired

This study examined how user characteristics affect drop-off detection with the long cane. A mixed-measures design with block randomization was used for the study, in which 32 visually impaired adults attempted to detect the drop-offs using different cane techniques. Younger cane users detected drop-offs significantly more reliably (mean +/- standard deviation = 74.2% +/ 11.2% of the time) than older cane users (60.9% +/- 10.8%), p = 0.009. The drop-off detection threshold of the younger participants (5.2 +/- 2.1 cm) was also statistically significantly smaller than that of the older participants (7.9 +/- 2.2 cm), p = 0.007. Those with early-onset visual impairment (78.0% +/- 9.0%) also detected drop-offs significantly more reliably than those with later-onset visual impairment (67.3% +/- 12.4%), p = 0.01. No interaction occurred between examined user characteristics (age and age at onset of visual impairment) and the type of cane technique used in drop-off detection. The findings of the study may help orientation and mobility specialists select appropriate cane techniques in accordance with the cane user's age and onset of visual impairment.

• 出版日期2010