A comparative study to assess the effectiveness of bates therapy vs acupressure on visual problems among elderly people in selected areas at Namakkal district

Abstract

Ageing is a natural process. Old age refers to the people above the age group of 60 years. The rapid increase in the number of old age people in the population raises various social, economic, and health problems. About 284 million people are visually impaired worldwide, 39 million are blind and 245 have low vision. About 90% of the worlds visually impaired live in developing countries. 80% of all visual impairment can be avoided or cured. The simple cost effective complimentary therapy was executed to overcome the burden of visual problems. So, comparative study conducted to assess the effectiveness of Bates therapy Vs Acupressure on visual problems among elderly people in selected areas at Namakkal District. Frequency and Percentage was used to analyze the demographic variables and level of visual problem. Chi square was used association between post test scores of visual problem among elderly in experimental group I and II with their demographic variables. There is significant association between gender with post test scores visual acuity with demographic variables of the elderly people in experimental group II. There is significant association between using spectacles/lens and duration of spectacles with post test scores visual functioning with demographic variables of the elderly people in experimental group II. Hence, H3 is rejected for their demographic variables. Bates therapy and Acupressure is an effective intervention to reduce the level of visual problem among elderly people. Bates therapy was more effective than acupressure to reduce the visual problem among elderly people. The result of the study showed that regular practice of Bates therapy and acupressure would be beneficial in reducing the visual problems elderly people. This intervention could be beneficial for children with visual problems. Persons could be trained at the age of 40 years to reduce the progress the visual changes in the due course of ageing.