Change in quality of life after rehabilitation: prognostic factors for visually impaired adults

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. © 2009 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.