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Optimising technology to measure functional vision, mobility and service outcomes for people with low vision or blindness: protocol for a prospective cohort study in Australia and Malaysia

Deverell L 1 , Meyer D 1 , Lau BT 2 , Al Mahmud A 3 , Sukunesan S 4 , Bhowmik J 1 Show all authors , Chai A 5 , McCarthy C 6 , Zheng P 2 , Pipingas A 7 , Islam FMA 1

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Statistics, Data Science and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
  • 2 Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
  • 3 Centre for Design Innovation, School of Design, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
  • 4 Faculty of Business and Law, Swinburne Business School, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
  • 5 Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Kuching, Malaysia
  • 6 School of Software and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
  • 7 Department of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
BMJ Open, 2017 12 21;7(12):e018140.
PMID: 29273657 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018140

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists assess the functional vision and O&M skills of people with mobility problems, usually relating to low vision or blindness. There are numerous O&M assessment checklists but no measures that reduce qualitative assessment data to a single comparable score suitable for assessing any O&M client, of any age or ability, in any location. Functional measures are needed internationally to align O&M assessment practices, guide referrals, profile O&M clients, plan appropriate services and evaluate outcomes from O&M programmes (eg, long cane training), assistive technology (eg, hazard sensors) and medical interventions (eg, retinal implants). This study aims to validate two new measures of functional performance vision-related outcomes in orientation and mobility (VROOM) and orientation and mobility outcomes (OMO) in the context of ordinary O&M assessments in Australia, with cultural comparisons in Malaysia, also developing phone apps and online training to streamline professional assessment practices.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This multiphase observational study will employ embedded mixed methods with a qualitative/quantitative priority: corating functional vision and O&M during social inquiry. Australian O&M agencies (n=15) provide the sampling frame. O&M specialists will use quota sampling to generate cross-sectional assessment data (n=400) before investigating selected cohorts in outcome studies. Cultural relevance of the VROOM and OMO tools will be investigated in Malaysia, where the tools will inform the design of assistive devices and evaluate prototypes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Rasch modelling, cluster analysis and analysis of variance will be undertaken along with descriptive analysis of measurement data. Qualitative findings will be used to interpret VROOM and OMO scores, filter statistically significant results, warrant their generalisability and identify additional relevant constructs that could also be measured.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been granted by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Swinburne University (SHR Project 2016/316). Dissemination of results will be via agency reports, journal articles and conference presentations.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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