Orientation and mobility training for partially-sighted older adults using an identification cane: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to provide an overview of the development, content, feasibility, and effectiveness of existing orientation and mobility training programmes in the use of the identification cane.Data sources: A systematic bibliographic database search in PubMed, PsychInfo, ERIC, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library was performed, in combination with the expert consultation (n = 42; orientation and mobility experts), and hand-searching of reference lists.Review methods: Selection criteria included a description of the development, the content, the feasibility, or the effectiveness of orientation and mobility training in the use of the identification cane. Two reviewers independently agreed on eligibility and methodological quality. A narrative/qualitative data analysis method was applied to extract data from obtained documents.Results: The sensitive database search and hand-searching of reference lists revealed 248 potentially relevant abstracts. None met the eligibility criteria. Expert consultation resulted in the inclusion of six documents in which the information presented on the orientation and mobility training in the use of the identification cane was incomplete and of low methodological quality.Conclusion: Our review of the literature showed a lack of well-described protocols and studies on orientation and mobility training in identification cane use.

Light touch and medio-lateral postural stability during short distance gait

“…However, these positional updates cannot be obtained via LT touch on a stick that is moved by the subject in congruence with his own forward progression. While the role of light touch on a cane for obstacle avoidance and navigation is well established [33,34], its role for controlling ML stability during forward gait seems ineffective, at least for short walking distance in young healthy adults.…”

Relative Difficulties of Daily Living Tasks with Retinitis Pigmentosa

“…27 The most effective 306 methods to teach the use of mobility aids, or orientation and mobility in general, are unclear with no 307 good quality evidence currently available. 27,28 There has been interest in determining whether a 308 standardised orientation and mobility teaching protocol would have better outcomes than usual 309 care, 29 but the results of the trial suggested little difference between techniques 30 although the trial 310 was hampered by trainers deviating from the standardised protocols, potentially to deliver more 311 client centred training. The subscales derived in the present study may be useful in informing the 312 development of training programmes, suggesting tasks that can be considered together in training 313 as forming a unidimensional construct from the client's perspective.…”

“…While it is anecdotally clear that mobility aids such as canes enhance mobility 359 function, since users continue to find value in using them, evidence in previous literature for the 360 benefits of mobility aids and training is not clear cut, and the present finding is therefore relatively 361 novel. A Cochrane systematic review 27 found no high quality evidence of the effects of orientation 362 and mobility training for adults with low vision, and very little evidence has been found in the 363 literature 28 on methodology or effectiveness of symbol cane training. Guide dog users with Retinitis 364…”

“…Whilst the purpose of the present study is therefore not 25 specifically to validate the Dutch Activity Inventory, the use of analysis techniques used in 26 questionnaire validation allows consideration of what the instrument tells us about the difficulty of 27 activities of daily living with Retinitis Pigmentosa. 28 …”

Clinical rehabilitation

“…[10][11][12] The training is often supplemented by the use of an assistive device meeting the need of the person with low vision 13 and facilitated by a trainer specialized in orientation and mobility instruction. 6,14 Worldwide, orientation and mobility training for older adults with low vision is often part of low vision rehabilitation care, while the content of this training is rarely discussed and detailed descriptions of training programs in the literature are scarce. 14 In the Netherlands, facilitators of this training receive a general mobility instruction.…”