Introduction A wearable system provided verbal or vibrotactile feedback to guide visually impaired participants along indoor routes. Performance measures were used to compare the effectiveness of different feedback types. Methods The wearable system simulated autonomous guidance by recognizing large QR codes and then providing cues based on the detected code, to guide participants along an indoor route (37.3 to 180 m). Ten participants with visual impairment were enrolled to test the system. Each participant walked eight different routes in an office building using the wearable system. Different feedback configurations were used for each route. Feedback configurations varied based on the sensory modality (verbal or vibrotactile) and, for vibrotactile, the location of the vibration motors (head, waist, and cane handle). Multimodal feedback combining verbal and vibrotactile cues was assessed using each participant's preferred vibrotactile feedback. Results We found that vibrotactile motors placed on a head resulted in fewer incorrect responses and interventions versus other feedback configurations. Six out of ten participants agreed that combining verbal and vibrotactile feedback was preferable. Survey responses suggest that participants rated trust the highest and mental effort the lowest with the combined verbal-vibrotactile modality. Vibrotactile motors on the cane handle were difficult to interpret. Discussion Our experiments suggest that a vibrotactile interface worn on the head is the most effective means of nonvisual guidance. This configuration transmits direct, concise, and instant guidance information to the user. Combination type feedback shows similar results and may provide additional confidence to users. Our study results provide insights into user-centric design of feedback systems for navigation. Implications for Practitioners A key element of ensuring successful adoption of assistive technology will be personalized fitting and training. Practitioner involvement will be critical when developing fitting and training protocols.
Introduction Visual impairment is increasingly recognized as a significant risk factor for depression, anxiety, and diminished quality of life. Although various interventions aim to address these psychosocial challenges, problem-solving therapy has shown promise in helping individuals adapt to vision-related limitations by enhancing coping strategies and self-efficacy. This review evaluates the potential of problem-solving therapy as a standalone intervention to improve mental health outcomes in visually impaired adults. Methods A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Medline-OVID, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, covering literature from January 2001 to April 2024. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, nonrandomized studies, and single-group interventions involving adults with visual impairment. The primary outcomes examined were depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, and vision-related quality of life. Five studies were included—four randomized controlled trials and one pre–post intervention study. Results Evidence suggests that problem-solving therapy contributes to meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms among visually impaired individuals. One study reported a 50% lower incidence of depressive disorders among participants with age-related macular degeneration who received problem-solving therapy. Additional improvements were noted in psychological well-being and vision-related quality of life. While objective visual acuity did not change, perceived functional ability improved significantly. However, challenges related to participant adherence—such as dropout due to social isolation—were observed. Conclusion Problem-solving therapy appears to be a valuable psychological intervention for visually impaired patients, offering measurable improvements in emotional well-being and perceived functionality. Adaptations may be necessary to increase accessibility and engagement. Implications for Practitioners Practitioners can incorporate problem-solving therapy into comprehensive low-vision rehabilitation programs to address mental health concerns. Tailoring interventions to patient needs, offering remote or hybrid delivery options, and including structured follow-up or booster sessions can enhance adherence and efficacy. Future research should focus on long-term outcomes, diverse patient populations, and standardized delivery models to establish problem-solving therapy as an evidence-based approach in vision care.
Introduction: People convey information, including emotions, through various channels such as nonverbal vocalizations, language, prosody, and chemosensory signals. Moreover, facial expressions greatly contribute to this process. This study aimed to advance knowledge about the degree to which sighted people can be educated to improve the ability to accurately recognize facial expressions among people with visual disabilities, depending on media (images and videos). Methods: A convenience sample of 43 sighted participants was exposed to facial expression images and videos. They were asked to identify emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise) before and after receiving education based on facial expression modeling from a prior study. Congruence ratios were measured to assess accuracy in recognizing emotions, along with the perceived intensity of the emotions. Results: The study found that education significantly improved congruence in recognizing emotions in both images and videos, with most emotions showing enhanced accuracy. Education also increased the perceived intensity of emotions, potentially facilitating easier recognition. Discussion: These results suggest that education can improve the ability of sighted individuals to recognize facial expressions, potentially enhancing communication with individuals who have visual disabilities. Implications for Practitioners: Improved recognition of facial expressions could enhance communication between individuals with and without visual disabilities, fostering greater understanding and inclusion. Practitioners can use these findings to develop training programs that improve emotional recognition, contributing to more effective interpersonal interactions and stronger relationships in diverse settings.
Introduction This study aimed to investigate the relationships among social support, social activity, acceptance of disability, loneliness, and hope in individuals with visual impairments. Methods The sample consisted of 400 adults with visual impairments who utilized welfare centers for people with disabilities in Seoul, South Korea. A cross-sectional design was employed to analyze the relationships among the variables. Results Structural equation modeling results indicated that social support reduced loneliness and increased hope, while social activity participation was associated with lower loneliness but not directly with hope. Mediation analysis revealed that social support and social activity participation indirectly affected loneliness through their positive influence on disability acceptance. Additionally, the findings demonstrated a full mediating pathway: social participation levels indirectly influenced hope solely through the acceptance of disability. Discussion These findings highlight the importance of programs that strengthen social support networks and promote active social participation to improve the mental health of individuals with visual impairments. Moreover, our findings corroborate previous research showing that strong social support systems are crucial for promoting mental wellbeing and fostering a positive outlook among individuals with visual impairments. Implications for Practitioners Based on these findings, we provided practical recommendations for both practice and future research. Specifically, we emphasized the need to implement programs that enhance social support networks and encourage active social participation to improve mental health outcomes. Further studies are needed to explore the facilitators and barriers to social activity participation and social support among individuals with visual impairments.
Introduction: Mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, are among the major contributors to the worldwide burden of disease. Within the blind community, the emphasis on physical symptoms may lead to the neglect of mental health assessment and treatment for individuals with visual impairments. Without timely intervention, these issues can escalate into depression, or even severe depression. This study aims to investigate the effects of African hand drumming therapy on anxiety and stress among members of the blind community in New Zealand. Nine blind participants from Blind Low Vision New Zealand participated in the study. Methods: A 6-month intervention was conducted from June 2024 to the end of 2024. Eighteen individuals with visual impairments from the New Zealand blind community were selected and randomly allocated to either the intervention group (n = 9) or the waitlist control group (n = 9). The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and semistructured interviews were used to collect and analyze treatment outcomes. Results: The findings indicate that African hand drumming therapy significantly reduced PHQ-9 scores in the intervention group, with a marked decrease in depressive symptoms compared to the control group, which showed little change over the study period. Statistical analyses demonstrated significant pre-post differences, with effect sizes indicating substantial treatment effects. Discussion: These results suggest that African hand drumming therapy can effectively alleviate depression and anxiety among people with visual impairments. Although limitations such as self-selection bias, a small sample size, and potential confounding variables should be acknowledged, the observed immediate and cumulative improvements suggest that the intervention may be effective. Implications for Practitioners: It is recommended to implement depression and stress reduction interventions for individuals with visual impairments in a safe, accessible environment under the guidance of trained facilitators.
Introduction This explanatory sequential study explored the relationship between self-esteem, family satisfaction, and cognitive distortion, and how it was experienced by young people with visual impairments in the Philippines. Methods: This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Quantitative data were collected from 62 participants through survey questionnaires, while 5 respondents were purposively selected for the qualitative phase based on specific inclusion criteria. Results: Quantitative analysis showed a significant negative correlation between self-esteem and cognitive distortion (r = -.40, p = .01). Family satisfaction, however, was not significantly related to self-esteem (r = .12, p = .40). Qualitative findings revealed that low self-esteem was linked to self-critical evaluations and frustrations in self-development, while low family satisfaction was tied to challenges in managing family conflicts and feelings of emotional neglect. High cognitive distortion was associated with mental filter ruminations. Discussion: The moderate negative correlation between self-esteem and cognitive distortion suggests that higher self-esteem aligns with lower cognitive distortion. The qualitative findings explained that low self-esteem was due to their dismissive evaluation of the self and frustrations with self-development, closely tied to mental filter ruminations. The lack of association between family satisfaction and self-esteem indicates that other family and social dynamics may influence self-esteem. Qualitative themes suggest that having low family satisfaction stemmed from their experiences such as handling family conflicts, managing family pressures, and feelings of emotional neglect. Implications for Practitioners : Teachers, mental health professionals, and other allied healthcare providers may focus the support programs for young people with visual impairments on fostering healthier self-perceptions and challenging unbalanced thinking. Strengthening family communication and conflict-resolution skills, along with expanding social support and tailored developmental opportunities, is essential for their holistic growth and empowerment.
Introduction: This study investigates the well-being of Canadian adolescents who are blind or have low vision compared to their peers without visual disabilities. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2017-2018 Canadian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey. Our sample consisted of 19,702 Canadian adolescents aged 11 to 15 years, including 401 who self-reported a diagnosis of blindness or low vision, while the remaining 19,301 reported no visual disabilities. Chi-square tests assessing differences in proportions pertaining to subjective and psychological well-being, self-rated health, life satisfaction, and loneliness between these two groups were conducted. Binary and ordinal logistic regression models were used for multivariate analysis. Results: Canadian adolescents with blindness or low vision reported significantly diminished life satisfaction and a significantly higher prevalence of loneliness. They experienced mental illness and depressive symptoms at a significantly greater rate than their peers without visual disabilities. Well-being measures for adolescents who are blind or have low vision and multiple disabilities, which we defined as a participant who reported at least one additional disability other than blindness or low vision, were significantly more compromised. Discussion: Blindness or low vision was associated with lower well-being outcomes, including life satisfaction and loneliness, as well as poorer mental health among Canadian adolescents. The presence of multiple disabilities exacerbated the already lower levels of well-being outcomes experienced by adolescents with visual disabilities. Implications for Practitioners: Practitioners should recognize the well-being disparities experienced by Canadian adolescents who identify as being blind or having low vision, particularly those with multiple disabilities, and develop targeted interventions to address these challenges. Increasing access to specialized mental health support and promoting inclusive school environments are essential for improving the well-being of adolescents with visual disabilities.
Introduction Growing research indicates that vision loss significantly affects the physiological well-being of individuals with visual impairments. Deep breathing is suggested as a means to enhance their pulmonary health as part of overall wellness. Studies on the use of deep breathing and its effects on pulmonary function are, however, limited in individuals with visual impairments. This pilot study aims to compare the impact of deep breathing on lung health between individuals with visual impairments and typical sight.Methods The total sample (N = 100) included 50 individuals with visual impairments (mean age = 52.78 years +/- 16.35) and 50 sighted individuals (mean age = 53.10 years +/- 17.24). Both groups underwent baseline assessments of the spirometry-tidal volume (TV), vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio)-followed by a 2-week intervention period involving daily 5-min sessions of audio-aided deep breathing. Post-intervention spirometry assessments were conducted for both groups.Results After deep breathing, the group with visual impairment showed significant improvements within-group with higher TV (0.53 +/- 0.14 L to 0.61 +/- 0.14 L; p < 0.001) and a higher mean change in TV than the sighted group (0.069 L; p = 0.030). Conversely, measures of VC, FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC remained unchanged both within and between groups.Discussion Deep breathing exercises may improve pulmonary function, as indicated by significant increment in TV in individuals with visual impairments, with a higher mean difference compared to individuals with typical sight. However, due to the pilot study design and limited changes, further research with larger sample sizes and control groups is needed to confirm these findings.Implications for Practitioners Clinicians, therapists, and ophthalmologists may consider incorporating deep breathing exercises into the care plans of individuals with visual impairments as part of their physical health and wellness management.
