Abstract
Purpose :
Transportation to rehabilitation services and insufficient training have been identified as important barriers to magnifying low vision aid use. Despite encouraging preliminary outcomes, the effect of telerehabilitation on the quality of life (QoL) of persons with low vision has not yet been systematically investigated. This modality may be able to overcome the transportation and training barriers. Therefore, this study examined the impact of telerehabilitation on QoL in individuals using a head-mounted display.
Methods :
We recruited participants aged 18+ among prospective eSight Eyewear owners, randomised 1:1 into two parallel groups, whereby the active intervention was the telerehabilitation provided by a low-vision therapist. The primary outcomes were the effect of telerehabilitation on validated measures of assistive technology-related QoL: the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices questionnaire (PIADS) and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST). Exploratory outcome were the assessment of functional vision and cybersickness associated with HMD use. Outcomes measures were assessed before randomization, at 2 weeks, as well as 3 and 6 months after randomization. The analyses were conducted using mixed-effects models.
Results :
Assistive technology-related QoL was improved in the 57 participants (age 21-82, mean 54.5) across time for the PIADS (F (3, 129) = 2.83, p = .041, eta squared = .049) and within the first three months for the QUEST (t(135)= 2.802, p = .035, d = .601), independently of training type. Functional vision improved over time (F (3, 124) = 32.538, p < .001, eta squared = .372), independently of group types. No significant changes in participants’ cybersickness outcomes were reported after telerehabilitation.
Conclusions :
The utilization of an HMD associated with telerehabilition improved functional vision and QoL outcomes in participants with low vision, within the first 2 weeks and 3 months, respectively. Improvements were equal compared to self-training, suggesting that both interventions could be favourable to sustained HMD use. The data suggest that the use of an HMD together with telerehabilitation seems a modality promising for low vision rehabilitation services to overcome burdens that restrict accessibility to rehabilitation. These findings will contribute to help guide evidence-based practice recommendations in this field.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.