Movement behaviors, comorbidities, and health-related quality of life among adults with visual impairments

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine (a) discrete and integrative associations of physical activity (PA), sitting-time (ST), and sleep duration (SD) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among adults with visual impairments (VIs) and (b) the role that comorbidities play in the association between PA, ST, and SD and HRQoL among adults with VIs.

Materials and methods

This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey methodology. A sample of 195 adults with VIs were recruited from two VI-related listservs in the U.S. from June to September of 2019, and they completed a battery of self-reported measures.

Results

Meeting SD, PA, and ST guidelines were positive predictors for HRQoL. The number of reported comorbidities was as a significant negative predictor for HRQoL. The number of comorbidities did not moderate the association between meeting movement guidelines and HRQoL. Adjusting for gender and number of comorbidities, analysis of covariance showed that individuals meeting all three guidelines had significantly higher HRQoL than those meeting none or SD guideline alone.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate the discrete and integrative HRQoL-related benefits of meeting three movement behavior guidelines for adults with VIs. The existence of comorbid conditions did not moderate this relationship.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Adults with visual impairments (VIs) tend to report poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than those without VIs.

• In our sample, participants who met all three of the physical activity (PA), sitting-time, and sleep guidelines had significantly higher HRQoL than those meeting none or the sleep guideline alone.

• Mechanisms to disseminate movement guidelines and associated benefits are needed to promote guideline adherence to adults with VIs.

• Rehabilitation professionals should design and implement multi-behavior programs to promote adherence to PA, screen-time, and sleep duration guidelines to enhance HRQoL among adults with VIs, including those experiencing comorbid conditions.

Keywords:

• Visual impairment
• quality of life
• 24-hour movement
• life satisfaction
• physical activity
• sleep

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).