| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Correspondence: Address correspondence to Hans-Werner Wahl, PhD, German Center for Research on Aging at the University of Heidelberg, Bergheimer Strausse 20, Heidelberg, D-69115, Germany. E-mail: wahl{at}dzfa.uni-heidelberg.de
Purpose: The psychosocial needs of patients suffering from severe visual loss associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) are generally ignored in the clinical routine. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a psychosocial intervention program for ARMD patients. This intervention program was based on six modules carried out in five weekly group sessions. These modules included (a) progressive muscle relaxation; (b) exchange of disease-related experiences; (c) understanding the connections among thought, emotion, and behavior; (d) description of and emphasis on the use of available resources; (e) improvement of general problem-solving skills, and (f) information exchange on ARMD-related treatment and rehabilitation options. Design and Methods: A preliminary evaluation of this intervention program was performed with the aid of a preintervention–postintervention comparison-group research design, which included 14 individuals (mean age of 73.1 years) in the interventional group and 8 participants (mean age of 72.6 years) in the comparison group. The preintervention–postintervention assessment addressed a set of emotional (e.g., positive and negative affect) as well as behavioral (e.g., limitations to activities and instrumental activities of daily living) outcome measures. Results: Although the sample size of the pilot evaluation test was small, our results demonstrate the usefulness of this pilot program. A statistical analysis comparing the interventional group with the comparison group revealed that the intervention group benefited from the program in five out of six outcome measures. Implications: Psychosocial group intervention is a promising approach to improve the quality of life in patients suffering from ARMD.
Key Words: Age-related low vision • Age-related macular degeneration • Psychosocial group intervention • Quality of life
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. R. Puskar, L. Brar, and K. H. Stark Considerations to Implement Holistic Groups With the Elderly J Holist Nurs, September 1, 2008; 26(3): 212 - 218. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. Rees, C. Saw, M. Larizza, E. Lamoureux, and J. Keeffe Should family and friends be involved in group-based rehabilitation programs for adults with low vision? British Journal of Visual Impairment, May 1, 2007; 25(2): 155 - 168. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
