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

Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Low Vision; Aged

Treatments: Other: orientation and mobility training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00946062

MEC 07-3-057.5/pl

ZonMw 94305004

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is:

1. 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;
2. to evaluate this newly developed standardised O&M-training with respect to effectiveness and feasibility in a randomised controlled trial.

Enrollment: 190 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 55+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

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:

  1. experiencing difficulties with safely crossing a street
  2. experiencing difficulties with recognising acquaintances outdoors
  3. 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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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190 participants in 2 patient groups

regular O&M-training

Active Comparator group

Description:

orientation and mobility training in use of the identification cane as provided by mobility trainers

Treatment:

Other: orientation and mobility training

standardised O&M-training

Experimental group

Description:

standardised orientation and mobility training in use of the identification cane as provided by mobility trainers who received instruction in using the standardised protocol

Treatment:

Other: orientation and mobility training