Testing the impact of an educational intervention designed to promote ocular health among people with age-related macular degeneration

Abstract

Research has shown that individuals affected by age-related macular degeneration (AMD) do not always consume foods or supplements known to be beneficial for ocular health. This study tested the effectiveness of an educational intervention designed to promote healthy eating and nutritional supplementation in this group. A total of 100 individuals with AMD completed baseline measures of several variables: confidence that diet affects AMD, motivation to engage in health-protective behaviours, knowledge about which nutrients are beneficial, and intake of kale, spinach, and eggs. Participants were allocated to either intervention or control conditions. Intervention participants received a leaflet and prompt card that contained advice regarding dietary modification and supplementation. Control participants received a leaflet created by the Royal College of Optometrists. A follow-up questionnaire, measuring the same variables assessed at baseline, was administered 2 weeks later. At follow-up, significant condition × time interactions were found for confidence that diet affects AMD (F(1, 92) = 4.54, p < .05), motivation to talk to an eye professional about supplementation (F(1, 92) = 4.53, p = .036), motivation to eat eggs (F(1, 92) = 12.67, p = .001), and egg intake (F(1, 92) = 11.97, p = .001). In each case, intervention participants scored higher than control participants. Receiving an educational intervention increased participants' confidence that diet affects AMD, motivation to engage in health-protective behaviours, and egg intake. This intervention could be easily incorporated into current clinical practice delivered by either optometrists or ophthalmologists.

Telephone-Delivered Dietary Intervention in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 3-Month Post-Intervention Findings of a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…There have been few translational efforts to address this evidence–practice gap. Promising findings were recently published following a non-randomised educational intervention trial in the United Kingdom [ 21 ]. In this study, intervention participants received verbal nutrition advice for their AMD from an eye care professional accompanied by a take-home leaflet summarising the key messages around nutrition and AMD; control participants received usual care (off-the-shelf brochure) [ 21 ].…”

“…Promising findings were recently published following a non-randomised educational intervention trial in the United Kingdom [ 21 ]. In this study, intervention participants received verbal nutrition advice for their AMD from an eye care professional accompanied by a take-home leaflet summarising the key messages around nutrition and AMD; control participants received usual care (off-the-shelf brochure) [ 21 ]. As a result of this intervention, participants in this arm increased their egg intake, gained greater confidence about diet and AMD links and were more motivated to practice health-protective behaviours compared to participants in the control arm [ 21 ].…”

Telephone-Delivered Dietary Intervention in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration: 3-Months Post-Intervention Findings of a Randomised Controlled Trial

“…Promising ndings were recently published following a non-randomised educational intervention trial in the United Kingdom. [21] In this study, intervention participants received verbal nutrition advice for their AMD from an eyecare professional accompanied by a take-home lea et summarising the key messages around nutrition and AMD; control participants received usual care (off-the-shelf brochure). [21] As a result of this intervention, participants in this arm increased their egg intake, gained greater con dence about diet and AMD links and were more motivated to practice health-protective behaviours compared to participants in the control arm.…”

“…[21] In this study, intervention participants received verbal nutrition advice for their AMD from an eyecare professional accompanied by a take-home lea et summarising the key messages around nutrition and AMD; control participants received usual care (off-the-shelf brochure). [21] As a result of this intervention, participants in this arm increased their egg intake, gained greater con dence about diet and AMD links and were more motivated to practice health-protective behaviours compared to participants in the control arm. [21] Our study is a novel, parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) that was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a telephone-delivered intervention to impart and disseminate evidence-based dietary advice for people with AMD.…”

“…[21] As a result of this intervention, participants in this arm increased their egg intake, gained greater con dence about diet and AMD links and were more motivated to practice health-protective behaviours compared to participants in the control arm. [21] Our study is a novel, parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) that was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a telephone-delivered intervention to impart and disseminate evidence-based dietary advice for people with AMD.…”