Effectiveness of Bates Therapy on Visual Acuity Among Elderly People in Selected Old-Age Homes at Pudukkottai: A Quasi-Experimental Study
R. Sneha, MSN, RN
Effectiveness of Bates Therapy on Visual Acuity Among Elderly People in Selected Old-Age Homes at Pudukkottai: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Thesis Summary
This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of Bates therapy in improving visual acuity among elderly people aged 60 years and above residing in selected old-age homes in Pudukkottai. The study was conducted because visual impairment is a common age-related problem that affects independence, quality of life, and daily functioning in older adults. Common causes include cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
A quantitative quasi-experimental, non-equivalent pre-test and post-test control group design was used. The study included 60 elderly participants, with 30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group, selected through purposive sampling from two old-age homes (Nesakkaram and DERMA). Visual acuity was assessed using the Snellen’s E chart before and after the intervention.
The intervention consisted of Bates therapy, which included:
- Swinging eye exercises
- Sunning
- Palming (cupping)
The therapy was administered for 30 minutes daily over 30 days to the experimental group, while the control group received no intervention.
The objectives of the study were:
- To assess pre-test and post-test visual acuity in both groups.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of Bates therapy in improving visual acuity.
- To determine the association between post-test visual acuity and selected demographic variables.
The study was guided by Modified Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory (GST), which views the patient as an open system interacting continuously with the environment. The framework considered demographic and clinical characteristics as inputs, Bates therapy as the throughput, and improvement in visual acuity as the output.
The literature review summarizes global and Indian evidence on visual impairment among older adults and discusses previous studies suggesting that Bates therapy may improve visual acuity and visual functioning.
The thesis concludes that Bates therapy is an effective, safe, non-pharmacological complementary intervention for improving visual acuity among elderly people in old-age homes. The findings support incorporating simple eye exercises into routine elderly care to promote better vision, greater independence, and improved quality of life.
