Evaluation of a Standardised Orientation and Mobility Training in Older Adults With Low Vision

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is: to develop a standardised orientation and mobility training (O&M-training) in the use of an identification/symbol cane by older adults with low vision, and; to evaluate this newly developed standardised O&M-training with respect to effectiveness and feasibility in a randomised controlled trial.

Official Title
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The Impact of Orientation and Mobility Training on Mobility, Participation and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Visual Impairments: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Low Vision, Aged

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: orientation and mobility training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged 55 years or over Low vision Living independently in the community or in a home for older people Able to see large obstacles and to go outside for a short walk or doing groceries One of the following: experiencing difficulties with safely crossing a street experiencing difficulties with recognising acquaintances outdoors willing to become recognisable as being partially sighted by using the identification cane Written informed consent Orientation and Mobility training (O&M-training) in the use of an identification cane Exclusion Criteria: Cognitive impairment (a score of less than 4 on the Abbreviated Mental Test 4) Language or hearing problems that impede completing an interview by telephone Confinement to bed or possible nursing home admission that impede completion of the O&M-training Permanent use of a walking aid incompatible with the use of an identification cane Having recently received an O&M-training in the use of an identification cane and permanent use of this cane

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: regular O&M-training<br>orientation and mobility training in use of the identification cane as provided by mobility trainers | Other: orientation and mobility training<br>* orientation and mobility training<br>|
| Experimental: standardised O&M-training<br>standardised orientation and mobility training in use of the identification cane as provided by mobility trainers who received instruction in using the standardised protocol | Other: orientation and mobility training<br>* orientation and mobility training<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| activities of daily life (subscale of the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale (GARS)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| distance activities and mobility (subscales of the Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| activities index (Frenchay Activities Index (FAI)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| social support interactions (Social Support List (SSL 12-I)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5D (EQ5D)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| mental health and dependency (subscale of the Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| feelings of anxiety (anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| symptoms of depression (depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 
| concerns about falling (falls efficacy scale international (FES-I)) |  | 5 and 17 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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low vision, ophthalmology, randomised controlled trial, mobility, orientation, cane, aged