UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine’s U-ExCEL Balancing Act manual adapted for individuals with visual impairment

Marilyn Gugliucci, Anne Cowles

Anne Cowles '10, M.P.H. '15, U-ExCEL fitness director and Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor, director of Geriatrics and Research and U-ExCEL director, have adapted their U-ExCEL Balancing Act manual for individuals with vision impairment. Balancing Act is now an evidence-based balance program for older adults with vision impairment. In addition, Cowles has been working with organizations that provide services to the visually impaired.

The next steps in the project are to produce an audio file of the Balancing Act program specifically for those with vision impairment, as well as a video version of the manual for care partners. Both will be available on the U-ExCEL website.

This project was based on an NIH-funded clinical trial conducted by UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine U-ExCEL program, The University of Maine Center on Aging, and the Iris Network staff.