title: Randomized controlled trial on the effects of training in the use of closed-circuit television on reading performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of training in the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) on reading performance in visually impaired patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a multicenter masked randomized controlled trial, 122 patients were randomized either to a treatment group that received usual delivery instructions from the CCTV supplier combined with concise outpatient standardized training, or to a control group that received delivery instructions only. The main outcome measure was reading performance, which was obtained by measuring reading acuity, reading speed, reading errors, column-tracking time, and technical reading, approximately two weeks after patients had received their CCTV and 3 months later. Videotapes of all measurements were rated by two investigators. Training effects were analyzed with linear mixed modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant differences in results between the treatment and control group. However, introducing a CCTV increased reading acuity (mean difference [MD] 0.93 logRAD; P < 0.01) and maximum reading speed (MD 15 wpm; P < 0.01), and decreased the number of errors (MD 0.33; P = 0.04), compared to reading without CCTV. Average reading speed (P = 0.05), number of errors (P = 0.04), and column-tracking time (P = 0.01) improved over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prescribing a CCTV and the delivery instructions by the supplier seemed sufficient to improve reading performance. Additional training in the use of this device did not result in further improvement. Based on these results, outpatient low-vision rehabilitation centers may consider reallocating part of the training resources into other evidence-based rehabilitation programs. (trialregister.nl number, NTR1031.).
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, VU University Medical Center and the EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.burggraaff@vumc.nl
authors.forename: Marloes C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Burggraaff
authors.forename: Ruth M A
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: van Nispen
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Hoeben
authors.forename: Dirk L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Knol
authors.forename: Ger H M B
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: van Rens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D060329:Education of Persons with Visual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011932:Reading; D012682:Sensory Aids; D013690:Television; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology