Audio-guided Home Physical Activity to Support People With Low Vision: Physical Performance and Quality of Life

Overview

The aim of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of a home training managed through audio-guides in comparison to a classic supervised training on the physical and psychological parameters of patients with severe low vision. In this study the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-managed physical activity protocol with audio guides on physical performance (strength, mobility and aerobic capacity) will be assessed and compared to the same protocol supervised in a fitness environment. Secondary aims are the effects of the two types of administration of the protocol on quality of life, autonomy and psychological impact on the caregiver.

According to the World Health Organization, low vision is that condition of permanent reduction of the visual function which does not allow an individual to fully develop his relationship activity, conduct a normal work activity, pursue his needs and aspirations of life. The increase in life expectancy on the one hand and the increasingly better ability to prevent and treat serious eye diseases, has led in industrialized countries to extraordinarily high numbers of patients who develop serious hypovision in adulthood or advanced age. Since regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health in older adults, even those with limited mobility, to maintain muscle mass and good balance (thus preventing falls) the use of audio devices or workouts carried out through audio guides for management of exercises in autonomy and at home will be tested. The aim of the project is to investigate the effectiveness of a home training protocol managed through audio-guides, in comparison to a classic supervised training, on the physical and psychological parameters of patients with severe low vision. Participants (people with severe low vision) will be randomized into two groups: "audio" group (AUD), trained through exercises explained through audio files and "supervised" group (SUP), trained in a gym supervised by a personal trainer. The training protocol will have a total duration of 3 months, with 2 weekly sessions and a monthly re-planning of loads and intensities. The participants of the SUP group will be trained at the Adapted Motor Activity Laboratory (LAMA) of the University of Pavia. To evaluate the changes induced by exercise, subjects will undergo physical tests and questionnaires, at the beginning and monthly until the end of the study. It is expected that combined training should increase aerobic capacity and general strength of the individual, as well as have a positive effect on quality of life and psychosocial life, both using audio-guided and supervised training. Obtaining these benefits with a self-managed training strategy would lead to greater independence of the subject and would expand the possibility of intervention in the population with low vision. Ultimately, these benefits could also be reflected in the management of the person with low vision by the caregiver and close family members.