A preliminary characterization of physical therapist visual behaviors during standing balance tasks using eye tracking

Visual observations provide an important foundation for physical therapist (PT) decision making in balance rehabilitation. This study used eye tracking to identify areas of the body focused on by PTs while evaluating standing balance across different exercise difficulties. Eye tracking data were obtained from five PTs who observed and rated older adults performing standing balance exercises, using a five-point scale. Excluding ratings of five, PTs had an average of approximately 215% more mean visits and an average of approximately 195% longer mean average visit durations to the lower extremities (LE) compared to the other regions of the body. However, visits to the LE shortened with increasing balance challenge, with approximately 75% shorter mean average visit durations to the LE for exercises rated as five compared to exercises rated as one. The number of visits to the head increased with balance challenge, with approximately 230% more mean number of visits to the head for ratings of five compared to ratings of one. Shortened visit durations and an increased number of visits to the upper body suggest an increase in whole body scan patterns with increasing challenge level.