Sörensen Silvia, White Katherine, Mak Wingyun, Zanibbi Katherine, Tang Wan, O'Hearn Amanda, Hegel Mark T
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, United States.
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 100 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, United States.
Contemp Clin Trials. 2015 May;42:68-77. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2015.03.007. Epub 2015 Mar 24.
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible and predictable blindness among older adults with serious physical and mental health consequences. Visual impairment is associated with negative future outlook and depression and has serious consequences for older adults' quality of life and, by way of depression, on long-term survival. Psychosocial interventions have the potential to alleviate and prevent depression symptoms among older AMD patients.
We describe the protocol of the Macular Degeneration and Aging Study, a randomized clinical trial of a psychosocial Preventive Problem-Solving Intervention. The intervention is aimed at enhancing well-being and future planning among older adults with macular degeneration by increasing preparation for future care.
Adequate randomization and therapeutic fidelity were achieved. Current retention rates were acceptable, given the vulnerability of the population. Acceptability (adherence and satisfaction) was high.
Given the high public health significance and impact on quality of life among older adults with vision loss, this protocol contributes a valid test of a promising intervention for maintaining mental and physical health in this population.
年龄相关性黄斑变性（AMD）是导致老年人不可逆和可预测失明的主要原因，会对身心健康造成严重后果。视力损害与消极的未来展望和抑郁相关，对老年人的生活质量有严重影响，并且通过抑郁对长期生存产生影响。心理社会干预有可能减轻和预防老年AMD患者的抑郁症状。
我们描述了黄斑变性与衰老研究的方案，这是一项关于心理社会预防性问题解决干预的随机临床试验。该干预旨在通过增加对未来护理的准备，提高患有黄斑变性的老年人的幸福感和未来规划能力。
实现了充分的随机化和治疗保真度。考虑到该人群的脆弱性，目前的保留率是可以接受的。可接受性（依从性和满意度）较高。
鉴于其对视力丧失的老年人具有高度的公共卫生意义和对生活质量的影响，该方案为在这一人群中维持身心健康的一项有前景的干预措施提供了有效的测试。
