Assessment of physical inactivity and locomotor dysfunction in adults with visual impairment

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: New & Interesting I

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 3

First Author: : M.Yamada JAPAN

Co Author(s): :    M. Kawashima   Y. Hiratsuka   T. Nakano   H. Tamura   K. Ono   S. Inoue        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Visual impairment is an increasingly prevalent public health problem, particularly in aging populations. Visually impaired individuals may have functional and psychosocial burdens that affect various aspects of their daily lives. Visually impaired older adults have difficulties with physical functioning, which increases the risk of falls and fractures. A fear of falls and perceived risks of mobility may limit physical activity in visually impaired patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between vision-related quality of life (QoL), physical inactivity, and locomotor dysfunction in subjects with visual impairment.

Setting:

Japanese patients with visual impairment were recruited from the ophthalmology departments of the National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Juntendo Tokyo Koto Geriatric Medical Center, Jikei University, and Kyoto University.

Methods:

We recruited adult patients, aged 20 years or older, with ocular conditions that resulted in visual impairment. The physical activity level was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and classified as high, moderate, or low. Locomotor function was evaluated with the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-5). Vision-related QoL was evaluated using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). Background data, including for age, sex, best-corrected visual acuity for each eye, causative eye diseases, systemic comorbidities, and body mass index, were also collected.

Results:

This cross-sectional study included 215 visually impaired subjects. The average age was 69.6±14.5 years and 118 patients (54.9%) were men. On the basis of IPAQ grade, physical activity levels were classified as low in 40.9%, moderate in 39.5%, and high in 19.5%. The mean GLFS-5 score was 6.3±5.5, and 43.3% were classified as at risk of locomotor dysfunction. Multivariate analysis showed that the VFQ-25 score and best-corrected visual acuity in the worse eye were significantly associated with physical inactivity. The GLFS-5 score had a significant association with vision-related QoL, as well as female sex, age, and systemic comorbidity.

Conclusions:

Vision-related QoL and best-corrected visual acuity in the worse eye were significantly associated with physical inactivity and that vision-related QoL, female sex, age, and presence of systemic comorbidity were significantly associated with locomotor dysfunction. Vision-related quality of life is associated with physical inactivity and locomotor dysfunction. The results of our study suggest that visual function is critical for not only preservation of vision-related QoL but also maintenance of physical health.

Financial Disclosure:

None