Self-help group for addressing depression and anxiety in the visually impaired. A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: This work describes a vision rehabilitation approach integrated with a self-help group, for psychological support of visually impaired people. The effectiveness and benefits of attending self- help group was analyzed in accordance to anxiety, depression symptoms and visual functions. Methods: The study, an observational perspective non randomized, was done on 31 visually impaired subjects, 16 females and 15 males, with a mean age of 63.7. Visual acuity, reading speed, anxiety and depression levels were valued before and after self-help group. Results: After the attending period of self-help group, a decrease to 0.74 LogMAR (± 0.3) and 1.08 LogMAR (± 0.3) for the best corrected visual acuity was registered for the best and the worst eye respectively (p0.05). There were significant improvements in anxiety (p0.01) and depression levels (p0.01). The average reading rate increased to 61.7 (± 24.4) wpm (p0.01), representing 23% improvement. We found that anxiety was significantly determinant on the reading speed (p=0.02). Conclusion: The results of this preliminary study suggest that this innovative approach can enhance visual functions with an effect on self-efficacy, it can offer support to the patients to cope with the onset of depression and anxiety and it can be a tool to promote psychological and social welfare.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• low vision
• self-help group
• rehabilitation.