Vision Evaluation Tools for Adults With Acquired Brain Injury: A Scoping Review.

Camille Dubé,Meghan S Rivers,Ginny Li,Yu Jin,André E Bussières,Amélie Labelle,Brienne G Powers,Ivy M Gumboc

doi:10.1177/00084174211042955

Abstract

Background. Unrecognized visual deficits (VDs) following an acquired brain injury (ABI) may impact clients’ rehabilitation. Little is known about evaluation tools used in vision rehabilitation. Purpose. To systematically explore the literature describing evaluation tools used for VD on adults with ABI. Method. Using a scoping review methodology, we searched in MEDLINE(Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the grey literature from inception to 2020. Quantitative and thematic analyses were performed. Findings. Of the 83 studies reporting on 86 evaluation tools, 47% used multiple tools to assess VD. Tools were mostly used by occupational therapists and psychologists to evaluate intermediate, intermediate to high, and high-level visual skills. Clinicians tend to select specific tools that focus on different levels of the hierarchy of visual skills. Implications. Future research should investigate the optimal timeframe for assessment of VD and the psychometric properties of tools to ensure comprehensive VD evaluation.

Highlights

Over 1.5 million Canadians live with acquired brain injury (ABI) (Brain Injury Association of Canada [BIAC], 2014), a condition associated with significant dysfunction when not well managed (Roberts et al, 2016)
Areas for Further Research Given that our study primarily focused on adults (75% above 18 years old), and that traumatic brain injury (TBI) injury is most prevalent in males aged 15–24 years old (Pickett et al, 2001), future reviews targeting visual deficits (VDs) in a younger TBI cohort in the rehabilitation setting are warranted
The reported psychometric properties of the tools should be interpreted with caution. This scoping review has highlighted the complexity in evaluating VD following ABI in the rehabilitation setting

Summary

Introduction

Over 1.5 million Canadians live with acquired brain injury (ABI) (Brain Injury Association of Canada [BIAC], 2014), a condition associated with significant dysfunction when not well managed (Roberts et al, 2016). Visual deficits (VDs) following ABI are highly prevalent (Roberts et al, 2016). While the precise prevalence of VD following ABI in Canada is unknown, a 2008 study on clients with ABI from the United States suggested that about 50% of subjects experienced VD (Ciuffreda et al, 2008). Despite the high prevalence of VD following ABI, rehabilitation professionals report a lack of knowledge as to when they should assess clients for VD following ABI, and what tools and assessments should be used (Winner et al, 2014). Unrecognized visual deficits (VDs) following an acquired brain injury (ABI) may impact clients’ rehabilitation. To systematically explore the literature describing evaluation tools used for VD on adults with ABI. Tools were mostly used by occupational therapists and psychologists to evaluate intermediate, intermediate to high, and high-level visual skills. Future research should investigate the optimal timeframe for assessment of VD and the psychometric properties of tools to ensure comprehensive VD evaluation

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion