RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Vision self-management for older adults: a randomised controlled trial
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 223
OP 228
DO 10.1136/bjo.2008.147538
VO 94
IS 2
A1 Sonya J Girdler
A1 Duncan P Boldy
A1 Satvinder S Dhaliwal
A1 Margaret Crowley
A1 Tanya L Packer
YR 2010
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/94/2/223.abstract
AB Background/aims Ageing of the population will result in unprecedented numbers of older adults living with age-related vision loss (ARVL). Self-management models improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs; however, the principles have rarely been applied in low vision services.Methods A two-armed randomised controlled trial of older adults (n=77) with ARVL compared ‘usual care’ provided by a not-for-profit community agency with an extended model of care (usual care+self-management group intervention). The primary outcome variable (participation in life situations) was measured using the Activity Card Sort. Secondary outcome measures examined general health and vision-specific domains.Results The intention-to-treat analysis demonstrated that the extended model produced significantly better participation in life situations at post-test when compared with the usual care only group. Gains were made regardless of whether participants were, or were not, depressed at baseline. The addition of the self-management group was also successful in significantly reducing depression, increasing physical and mental health, generalised and domain-specific self-efficacy, and adjustment to ARVL. With the exception of adjustment and mental health, differences were still apparent at 12 weeks' follow-up.Conclusion Addition of self-management significantly improved general health and vision-specific rehabilitation outcomes for older adults with ARVL.