The effect of a single music listening session on postural balance and mobility performance in adolescents with visual impairment: a controlled crossover study

Adolescents with visual impairment (VI) often exhibit deficits in postural balance and mobility performance. Previous research suggests that music may positively influence motor and emotional functions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of a single music listening session (MS) on postural balance and mobility performance in adolescents with VI. Fifteen adolescents with VI were assigned to a VI group (VIG), and thirteen normally sighted controls were assigned to a control group (CG). Group assignment (VIG vs. CG) was non-randomized. Posturographic assessments in different sensory conditions, the timed up and go test (TUGT) and the quick mood scale (QMS) were assessed before and immediately after 30-minutes of MS or a control session (CS). Each participant completed both MS and CS in a randomized order (crossover design). Only after the MS, the centre of pressure mean velocity (CoP Vm ) values decreased significantly ( p < 0.001) in the VIG in both surface conditions when tested with eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) (firm, p < 0.05; foam, p < 0.001). In the CG these values decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) after the MS only when tested on the foam surface with EO and EC. The TUGT time decreased significantly ( p < 0.05; p < 0.001) after the MS for the CG and the VIG respectively. Moreover, after the MS, the mood state was significantly ( p < 0.05) improved in both groups. No significant differences ( p > 0.05) were observed in either group after the CS for any of the assessed parameters. a 30-minute single MS (with guided preferred music (GPM)) was an efficient intervention for both postural balance and mobility performance enhancement in adolescents with VI. This study was retrospectively registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (ID: PACTR202506832481901, URL: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=34869 , date of registration: 27/06/2025).