1: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4): CD003925. Orientation and mobility training for adults with low vision.

Virgili G, Rubin G.
Eye Clinic II, Department Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, University of Florence, Via le Morgagni 85, Florence, ITALY, 50134.

BACKGROUND: Orientation and mobility (O&M) training is provided to people who are visually impaired to help them maintain travel independence, teaching them new orientation and mobility skills to compensate for reduced visual information.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of orientation and mobility training, with or without associated devices, for adults with low vision.

SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials - CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Group trials register) (Issue 3 2002), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2002), EMBASE (1980 to September 2002) and LILACS (September 2002) and the reference lists of articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA: We planned to include randomized or quasi-randomized trials comparing orientation and mobility training with no training in adults with low vision.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed the search results for eligibility.

MAIN RESULTS: No studies were found that satisfied the inclusion criteria.

REVIEWER’S CONCLUSIONS: We could not find any controlled trials on the effects of orientation and mobility training for adults with low vision. As a premise to future trials, orientation and mobility instructors and scientists should reach a consensus and develop valid measures of mobility performance that are both reliable and meaningful to people with low vision.