Self-management education programs for age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the effectiveness of education programs to improve emotional status, daily living and self-efficacy in adults older than 60 years with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).


METHODS
Electronic searches of three databases and manual searches of references lists located randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. Health education programs aimed at increasing knowledge of AMD, skills training or behavioural change were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by two reviewers. A narrative analysis was possible.


RESULTS
Three protocols were reported in four studies (n = 532) with three follow-up studies--all contained elements of self-management programs. Effect sizes for the three outcomes ranged from small to very large (0.14-1.21).


CONCLUSIONS
Self-management programs appear effective for older adults with AMD. Small sample size, use of non-traditional statistics and methodological quality meant only a narrative analysis was possible. Future studies with more robust methodology including intent-to-treat analysis are still required.
Lee
Lily
L
Centre for Research into Disability and Society, School of Occupational Therapy, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Packer
Tanya L
TL
Tang
Seok Hun
SH
Girdler
Sonya
S
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy