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Introduction: Social skills are acquired primarily through imitation using the visual system. As a result, people with visual impairments may experience difficulties in this area at any age, which can have a major effect on their social participation and on their quality of life. The objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of targeted interventions on social skills in children and adolescents with visual impairments. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using databases Web of Science, OvidSP, EBSCOhost, Sage Journals. The scientific quality of the studies was assessed using two scales dedicated to single case studies and group studies, respectively. Results: Out of 1866 hits, 32 studies were included in the review. A total of 397 children and adolescents with visual impairments (aged 3-20 years) received different types of social skills interventions. "Peer relation" interventions were most often studied (n = 21) and effects were mainly analyzed using observational tools. The scientific quality rating scales indicated moderate (for group studies) to high general quality (for single case studies). Overall, most studies reported improvements in targeted social skills. Discussion: Given the heterogeneity of the studies considered, both in content and in the measures used to document effects, these results should be interpreted with caution. Consequently, it is not clear which interventions should be recommended for use in practice such as in special education. Implications for Practitioners: Given the high rate of social skills difficulties reported in this population and the effect of these difficulties on all stages of development, it seems particularly relevant for practitioners to integrate social skills assessment and explicit teaching into intervention programs. In the future, researchers, stakeholders, and practitioners should work together to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with visual impairments.

Background: We investigated the effects of the "Care for Participation+" (CFP+) intervention on direct support professionals' (DSPs') attitudes regarding the participation of adults with visual and severe or profound intellectual disabilities (VSPID). Methods: We implemented a pilot non-randomized controlled trial with two control groups to compare DSPs' attitudes towards CFP+ using the Attitudes towards Participation Questionnaire (APQ) and DSPs' written profiles of adults with VSPID. Results: CPP+ and the Participation Mind Map control group showed a positive trend for the "leisure/recreation," "social relations," and "ability to act" APQ domains compared to the usual care control group. The CFP+ group described significantly fewer disabilities at 6 months, reflecting a more positive attitude than controls. Conclusion: CFP+ had positive effects on DSPs' attitudes towards the participation of adults with VSPID. The small sample size, ceiling effects, measurement instruments used, and implementation difficulties may have hampered understanding the full potential of CFP+.

Purpose: To compare the objective performance, acceptance and usability of head‐mounted displays (HMDs) to provide evidence‐based data that could be used to increase the efficiency of device referrals based upon a person's vision loss and functional needs. Methods: A cross‐sectional, counterbalanced, individually controlled crossover study was performed on 15 adults with various eye conditions. Performance was measured when using four HMDs: eSight4, Eyedaptic EYE3, Eyedaptic EYE4 and IrisVision Inspire. Performance on clinical visual acuity tests and contrast were assessed, as well as vision‐related activities of daily living (ADL) which were divided into three categories: Reading, Searching & Identifying and Eye–hand Coordination. User‐experience was also assessed. Logistic regression analyses, Friedman one‐way repeated measure analyses of variance by ranks and multivariate permutation testing were used for analysis. Results: There was a significant improvement in visual acuity when using all devices. For contrast tasks, only the eSight4 and Eyedaptic EYE3 improved performance relative to baseline. For most Reading and Searching & Identifying tasks, the odds of being able to perform the tasks were significantly higher while using the devices. However, the actual performance with most devices (e.g., number of words read or reading speed) did not improve significantly over baseline for most tasks. For the Eye–hand Coordination tasks, participants performed equivalent to or significantly poorer than baseline when using the devices. No demographic or clinical predictors of outcomes were identified. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with the devices' effectiveness, acceptability and usability. Conclusions: While performance on clinical tests was better when using the devices, performance on most real‐world ADLs was equal to or worse than baseline. No single device improved performance on all tasks, and performance on any one task was not improved with all the devices. The overall dissatisfaction with the devices paralleled the lack of objective improvement in the performance of real‐world tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the longitudinal vision‐related quality of life among patients with CRB1‐associated inherited retinal dystrophies. Methods: In this longitudinal questionnaire study, the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (39 items, NEI VFQ‐39) was applied at baseline, two‐year follow‐up, and 4‐year follow‐up in patients with pathogenic CRB1 variants. [Correction added on 20 November 2023, after first online publication: The preceding sentence has been updated in this version.] Classical test theory was performed to obtain subdomain scores and in particular 'near activities' and 'total composite' scores. The Rasch analysis based on previous calibrations of the NEI VFQ‐25 was applied to create visual functioning and socio‐emotional subscales. Results: In total, 22 patients with a CRB1‐associated retinal dystrophy were included, [...] with a median age of 25.0 years (interquartile range: 13–31 years) at baseline and mean follow‐up of 4.0 ± 0.3 years. [Correction added on 20 November 2023, after first online publication: The preceding sentence has been updated in this version.] A significant decline at 4 years was observed for 'near activities' (51.0 ± 23.8 vs 35.4 ± 14.7, p = 0.004) and 'total composite' (63.0 ± 13.1 vs 52.0 ± 12.1, p = 0.001) subdomain scores. For the Rasch‐scaled scores, the 'visual functioning' scale significantly decreased after 2 years (−0.89 logits; p = 0.012), but not at 4‐year follow‐up (+0.01 logits; p = 0.975). [Correction added on 20 November 2023, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, "...after 4 years..." has been corrected to "...after 2 years..." in this version.] The 'socio‐emotional' scale also showed a significant decline after 2 years (−0.78 logits, p = 0.033) and 4 years (−0.83 logits, p = 0.021). Conclusion: In the absence of an intervention, a decline in vision‐related quality of life is present in patients with pathogenic CRB1 variants at 4‐year follow‐up. Patient‐reported outcome measures should be included in future clinical trials, as they can be a potential indicator of disease progression and treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Visual impairment (VI) with comorbid mental disorders (MDs) are expected to have a major impact on people’s daily functioning, for which tailored support is needed. However, this has been barely investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) determine the impact of VI and comorbid MDs on functioning in essential life domains, (2) gain insight into best-practices that are currently used to support this target group, and (3) determine strategies to optimize care in the future. Methods A four-step qualitative Delphi method was used to obtain input from 31 Dutch professionals who work with this target group (84% female, mean age 46 years, on average 11 years of experience in working with the target group). The Self-Sufficiency Matrices were used to determine the impact on various aspects of daily living, for people with VI and (1) autism spectrum disorder, (2) psychotic disorders, (3) obsessive-compulsive disorder, (4) antisocial personality disorder, (5) borderline personality disorder, (6) dependent personality disorder. Results Experts describe a frail and vulnerable population, in which the VI and MD often have a cumulative negative impact on people’s physical and mental health. People frequently experience anxiety, depression, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Also, many tend to neglect self-care and substance abuse is common. They often experience difficulty in trusting others while at the same time being dependent on them. Social interaction and relationships are complicated because of communication restrictions (e.g. no facial recognition) and social incompetence or withdrawal. Experts advise taking transdiagnostic factors into account, using evidence-based psychological treatment options based on an intermittent approach, and offering multidisciplinary care. They stress the importance of building trust, showing patience and empathy, stimulating empowerment, involving the informal network and building on positive experiences. Conclusion VI and comorbid MD have a major impact on people’s daily functioning on a mental, physical, social and environmental level. This study provides insight into best-practices to support this target group. According to experts, more research is needed which could be aimed at investigating tailored diagnostic approaches and treatment options and include clients’ perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Two training programmes about depression and anxiety in adults with vision impairment were developed to support eye care practitioners (ECPs) and low vision service (LVS) workers in identifying and discussing mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the training programmes' potential effectiveness and feasibility. Methods: The training programmes were offered to ECPs (n = 9) and LVS workers (n = 17). All participants completed surveys pre‐, mid‐ and post‐training, and at a 4 week follow‐up about the training programmes' content, effectiveness, feasibility and implementation. The Kirkpatrick model was used as a theoretical framework; linear mixed models were used to determine the potential effectiveness, and outcomes were explored during three focus group meetings. Results: Expectations were met in the majority of the participants (84.6%). Post‐training, both ECPs and LVS workers reported increased confidence (β = 3.67, confidence interval (CI): 0.53–6.80; β = 4.35, CI: 1.57 to 7.14, respectively) and less barriers (β = −3.67, CI: −6.45 to −0.89; β = −1.82, CI: −4.56 to 0.91). Mental health problems were more likely addressed in both the groups (ECP β = 2.22, CI: −0.17 to 4.62; LVS β = 4.18, CI: 2.67 to 5.68), but these effects did not last in ECPs (β = −3.22, CI: −7.37 to 0.92). Variations of these learning effects between individual participants were found within both the groups, and LVS workers indicated a need to focus on their own profession. Participants provided information on how to improve the training programmes' feasibility, effectiveness and implementation. Conclusion: The training programmes seemed feasible and potentially effective. Transfer of the lessons learned into daily practice could be enhanced by, for example, specifying the training programmes for healthcare providers with the same profession, introducing microlearning and incorporating mental health management into organisation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess factors associated with work participation in people with visual impairments and to explore how these factors may have changed over time. Method: A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase.com, EBSCO/APA PsycInfo, EBSCO/CINAHL and EBSCO/ERIC from database inception to 1 April 2022 was performed. We included studies with cross‐sectional design, case–control, case‐series or cohort design, involving visually impaired working‐age adults with at least moderate visual impairment, and evaluated the association between visual impairment and work participation. Studies involving participants with deaf‐blindness or multiple disabilities were excluded. We assessed study quality (Newcastle–Ottawa Scale [NOS]), examined between‐study heterogeneity and performed subgroup analyses. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42021241076. Results: Of 13,585 records, 57 articles described 55 studies including 1,326,091 participants from mostly high‐income countries. Sociodemographic factors associated with employment included higher education (odds ratio [OR] 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.47 to 4.51, I2 0%), being male (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.84, I2 95%), having a partner (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.67, I2 34%), white ethnicity (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.74, I2 0%) and having financial assistance (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.55, I2 85%). Disease‐related factors included worse visual impairment (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.80, I2 98%) or having additional disabilities (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.62, I2 16%). Intervention‐related factors included mobility aid utilisation (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.10 to 1.18, I2 94%). A potential moderating effect of time period and geographical region was observed for some factors. Study quality (NOS) was rated moderate to high. Conclusion: Several sociodemographic and disease related factors were associated with employment status. However, the results should be interpreted with caution because of overall high heterogeneity. Future research should focus on the role of workplace factors, technological adjustments and vocational rehabilitation services on work participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to improve the quality and applicability of the 6 Dutch scales of the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI; Demorest & Erdman, 1986, 1987, 1988) using item response theory (IRT). IRT modeling can produce precise, valid, and relatively brief instruments, resulting in minimal response burden (Edelen & Reeve, 2006). Method: We investigated (a) whether items fit to the graded response model (GRM; Samejima, 1969) using Stone and Zhang's (2003) procedure to test goodness of fit and (b) whether items showed differential item functioning (DIF) with the IRT log-likelihood ratio approach for 5 group variables: gender, age, living arrangement, use of hearing aids, and degree of hearing impairment. We investigated the magnitude of DIF by calculating the maximum difference between expected item scores for subgroups of the group variables of items showing DIF. Results: In a cross-sectional study, 408 consecutive individuals with hearing impairment completed the Dutch CPHI scales. Twelve items were deleted because of misfit to GRMs, 14 items showed uniform DIF, and 2 showed nonuniform DIF. Five items showing DIF were deleted due to large magnitude of DIF. The short form of the Dutch CPHI scales contains 35 items. Conclusions: DIF analyses showed that the short form was relatively free of DIF with respect to the 5 group variables. Hence, there is no need to make adjustments for the calculation of subgroup scores.

The overall aim of rehabilitation for visually impaired adults is to improve the quality of life and (societal) participation. The objectives of this study were to obtain the short-term and long-term outcome of a comprehensive rehabilitation programme on quality of life for visually impaired adults, and prognostic baseline factors responsible for differences in outcome between certain groups of patients. The questionnaire was administered to 129 visually impaired adults (mean age 42.1 years). Quality of life was measured with the Visual Functioning Questionnaire, developed by the National Eye Institute (NEI-VFQ-25). Measurements were conducted during the observational programme (baseline measurement), and 3 months and 1 year after finishing rehabilitation. The change between subsequent measurements of the four dependent variables was measured, and the longitudinal relationship between vision-related quality of life on the one hand and possible prediction factors on the other was evaluated by means of random coefficient analyses. If the factor scores 1 year after rehabilitation were compared with baseline scores, the Mental Health and Dependency scale showed a significant improvement. For participants who received rehabilitation, age seemed to be a significant prediction variable for all factors. Additionally, functional vision score, and time at onset of visual impairment were predictors for the factor "Pain and Discomfort". The results indicate that only age was a predictor for all domains of quality of life. Future research should aim at confirming these results. Ultimately, these findings should lead to adjustments in the rehabilitation programme.