Physical activity in older adults with visual impairment increased by improved home lighting
Researchers from the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore evaluated the physical environmental factors that affected visually impaired older individuals in their homes. The results showed that greater measured lighting was associated with higher physical activity levels in older adults with visual impairment who were engaged in home physical activity.
There was the study of clinical patients who were 60 years of age and older who were glaucoma suspects and those who had been diagnosed with primary glaucoma and who had varying degrees of visual field damage. 153 participants (mean age, 71 years; 46% women) were included in the study.
The primary outcome was the total in-home steps taken daily by participants. The secondary outcome was the amount of time spent engaged in daily home physical activity and non-sedentary activity.
The results showed that for every 0.1-log unit increment in average measured home lighting, the participants took 5% more daily steps and had a 3% faster average daily peak cadence.
The authors concluded, that better lighting was associated with greater physical activity levels. Thus, home environment features, in particular lighting, may influence home physical activity in older adults with visual impairment.
