Changes in Quality of Life in Visually Impaired Patients after Low-Vision Rehabilitation

Autor/inn/en	Renieri, Giulia; Pitz, Susanne; Pfeiffer, Norbert; Beutel, Manfred E.; Zwerenz, Rudiger
Titel	Changes in Quality of Life in Visually Impaired Patients after Low-Vision Rehabilitation
Quelle	In: International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 36 (2013) 1, S.48-55 (8 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0342-5282
DOI	10.1097/MRR.0b013e328357885b
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Visual Impairments; Rehabilitation; Assistive Technology; Quality of Life; Patients; Interviews; Depression (Psychology); Anxiety; Reading Ability; Interpersonal Relationship; Followup Studies; Questionnaires; Regression (Statistics); Germany + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Visual handicap; Sehbehinderung; Lebensqualität; Patient; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Angst; Reading competence; Lesekompetenz; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Follow-up studies; Kontaktstudium; Fragebogen; Regression; Regressionsanalyse; Deutschland
Abstract	The objective of the study was to assess the impact of low-vision aids on quality of life. Interviews included a modified version of the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (Modified German NEI VFQ-25), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination Blind, and Indicators of the Rehabilitation Status. These were conducted before and 5 months after low-vision rehabilitation that involved recommendation of devices and instructing patients on how to use them. Of a total of 88 patients interviewed before low-vision rehabilitation, 50 patients could be reached for the follow-up interview. A huge proportion of the sample reported clinically significant depression (30%) or anxiety (30%). There were no differences between participants or dropouts. After fitting of low-vision devices, patients reported a significant improvement in perceived near tasks (P less than 0.01), social functioning (P less than 0.01), and reading ability (P less than 0.001). The magnitude of change was moderate. No significant changes were found in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination Blind, and Indicators of the Rehabilitation Status. Low-vision rehabilitation appears to have a broader effect than simply improving visual performance, as it may positively influence social functioning. Even though this study had no control group, the influence of low-vision aids on social functioning has not been reported before and should encourage their use. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 351 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Tel: 800-638-3030; e-mail: customerservice@lww.com; Web site: http://www.lww.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10