Assessing Older Adults’ Functional Visual Performance Using the Performance Quality Rating Scale

Abstract

Visual impairment has distinct impacts on the activities of older adults. Quantifying the functional impact of visual loss would facilitate targeted rehabilitation. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop an observational assessment of the functional visual performance of older adults using the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS); (2) test the feasibility and inter-rater agreement in a pilot sample of older adults with visual impairment. A convenience sample of older adults with vision loss (N = 20) performed seven pre-selected activities. Performance was videoed (N = 126 videos) and rated by two raters using specific operational definitions. All participants completed the seven activities with the given resources and 90% of videos were successfully rated using the developed PQRS. Inter-rater agreement was substantial (weighted Kappa = 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.64, 0.79]) for all activities. The developed PQRS for functional vision is feasible, with substantial inter-rater agreement, to assess functional vision of older adults in an outpatient setting.

Plain Language Summary

Assessing older adults’ use of vision using the Performance Quality Rating Scale.

Visual impairment has different impacts on the everyday activities of older adults. Assessing the specific impact would help therapists to provide rehabilitation targeting their daily challenges. The objectives of this study were (1) to develop an assessment of how older adults use their vision using the Performance Quality Rating Scale (PQRS); (2) to test the possibility of using, and the agreement of using this tool between two raters in a pilot sample. Twenty older adults with vision loss performed seven activities in an outpatient clinic. In total, 126 videos of their performances were rated by two raters using the PQRS. 90% of the videos were successfully rated using the developed PQRS with good agreement between the raters. The developed PQRS can possibly be used to assess how older adults use their vision for daily activities in an outpatient setting.