A randomised controlled trial of a self-management programme for low vision implemented in low vision rehabilitation services. Issue 2 (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rees, Gwyneth; Xie, Jing; Chiang, Peggy P.; Larizza, Melanie F.; Marella, Manjula; Hassell, Jennifer B.; Keeffe, Jill E.; Lamoureux, Ecosse L.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 98:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 174
• Page End: 181
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Vision impairment -- Self-management -- Research translation -- Quality of life -- Low vision rehabilitation; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: A trial of a low vision self-management programme (LVSMP) in low vision services. Participants randomly allocated to usual services or usual services plus LVSMP. No significant group differences were found for vision-specific quality of life. A generic LVSM programme may not adequately meet the needs of a diverse group. Implications for delivery of LVSMP in practice need to be addressed. Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a low vision self-management programme (LVSMP) in older adults. Methods: Participants ( n = 153) were existing clients of a national low vision rehabilitation organisation randomly allocated to usual services ( n = 60) or usual services plus LVSMP ( n = 93). The LVSMP was an 8-week group programme facilitated by low vision counsellors. The primary outcome was vision-specific quality of life (QoL) measured using the Impact of Vision Impairment (IVI) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes emotional well-being, self-efficacy and adaptation to vision loss were measured using the depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS), general self-efficacy scale (GSES), and short form adaptation to age-related vision loss scale (AVL12). Results: At one and six month follow-up assessments, no significant between-group differences were found for vision-specific QoL, emotional well-being, adaptation to vision loss or self-efficacy ( p > 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed no impact of the intervention on outcome measures. Conclusions: In contrast to previous work, our study found limited benefit of a LVSM programme on QoL for older adults accessing low vision services. Practice implications: When implementing self-management programmes in low vision rehabilitation settings, issues of client interest, divergence of need, programme accessibility and fidelity of intervention delivery need to be addressed.