A new study has found a “clear association” between concentration problems and fatigue severity in patients with visual impairment (VI).
The research, published in Optometry and Vision Science,1 found that “this observed association was not moderated by the severity of VI, the duration of VI, or being employed”.
In a cross-sectional study of 213 adults with VI (mean age, 57.2 years; 61% women), the researchers measured concentration using the Checklist of Individual Strengths subscale Concentration and Fatigue using the Checklist of Individual Strengths subscale Fatigue Severity. The researchers also considered potential confounding variables including sociodemographic and vision-related characteristics.
More than 60% of participants experienced severe fatigue, with concentration problems both directly and positively associated with fatigue severity.
As fatigue has a major impact on people’s daily life and participation in society, research on cognitive overload is necessary to stimulate awareness and treatment of these symptoms in clinical practice
“To date, the association between concentration and fatigue in individuals with VI remains largely unexplored,” Dr Manon Veldman, a researcher at Amsterdam UMC, and colleagues wrote.
“This study aimed to expand upon previous research by conducting a quantitative investigation into the association between concentration problems and the severity of fatigue in adults with VI.
“As fatigue has a major impact on people’s daily life and participation in society, research on cognitive overload is necessary to stimulate awareness and treatment of these symptoms in clinical practice,” the study authors concluded.
Reference
- Veldman MHJ, Adanç B, van Rens, GH., et al. Exploring cognitive overload in adults with visual impairment: The association between concentration and fatigue. Optometry and Vision Science 2024;101(11):646-651. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002192.
