Vision care for people with inherited retinal diseases who are anxious or depressed
Determining optimal vision care for emotionally distressed patients with inherited retinal diseases
This project compares low vision rehabilitation, Emotion Regulation Therapy (a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy), and the two together to help people with inherited retinal diseases who have anxiety or depression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11459639 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to join a three-arm randomized trial if you have an inherited retinal degeneration and experience vision-related distress, anxiety, or depression. Participants receive either low vision rehabilitation (LVR), Emotion Regulation Therapy (ERT), or both LVR and ERT, with treatments delivered by clinicians experienced in vision and mental health care. The team will use IRD-specific patient-reported outcome measures the investigators developed to track changes in daily functioning, mood, and vision-related limitations over time. The study aims to see which approach, or combination, best reduces distress and improves functioning for people with diverse IRD symptoms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with inherited retinal degenerations who report vision-related anxiety or depressive symptoms and can participate in outpatient low vision and psychotherapy visits are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without elevated anxiety or depression, those unable to attend therapy or rehabilitation sessions, or those with severe cognitive or psychiatric conditions may not benefit from this trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, combining low vision rehabilitation with Emotion Regulation Therapy could reduce anxiety and depression and improve daily functioning for people with inherited retinal diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Low vision rehabilitation and CBT-style therapies have helped some people with vision loss, but using IRD-specific measures and combining LVR with Emotion Regulation Therapy in a randomized three-arm trial is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Day, Sherry — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Day, Sherry
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.