Abstract
Purpose :
We sought to determine long-term usage rates for visual assistive mobile apps among visually-impaired seniors who had previously received extensive training to become proficient in using them during a clinical trial, as well as which patient-related or app-related factors were related to their continued use.
Methods :
We surveyed 62 former participants who were visually-impaired older adults (aged 55+ years) and had completed a clinical trial that evaluated three visual assistive mobile apps (i.e., SuperVision+ magnifier, Seeing AI, and Aira) to determine if they continued to use these apps ~3-12 months after the end of the study and ~9-21 months after receiving the app training.
Results :
Continued use of SuperVision+ was reported by 40%. The odds of using SuperVision+ was significantly greater among those who indicated it was convenient to use (OR=20; 95% CI: 5.2-78; p<0.001). Continued use of Seeing AI was reported by 39%, while ongoing use of Aira was reported by 21%. The odds of using SuperVision+, Seeing AI or Aira was significantly greater among those who indicated it was very or somewhat true that they could read everything with it (SuperVision+: OR=12; 95% CI: 3.5-41.5; p<0.001)(Seeing AI: OR=46; 95% CI: 8.6-241; p<0.001)(Aira: OR=14; 95% CI: 2.6-72; p=0.002). None of the three visual assistive apps were being used by 40%. Older age was significantly associated with increased odds of not using any app (OR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.005-1.13; p=0.03). Other factors were not significantly related to continued use of SuperVision+, Seeing AI or Aira; i.e., patient demographics, distance best-corrected visual acuity, frustration with the app, preference for a traditional magnification device (non-app), desire for more app training, or other health status (questionnaires administered during the clinical trial: Activity Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status, SF-36, New General Self-Efficacy Scale)(all p>0.05).
Conclusions :
The majority of visually-impaired seniors reported ongoing use of at least one visual assistive app, while the level of visual ability or acuity did not influence which app(s) they continued to use. Convenience was the main factor for using SuperVision+ and access to reading all materials was associated with using Seeing AI or Aira, while older age among seniors was a risk factor for not using any of the visual assistive apps.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.