Characteristics of Physical Activity Interventions for People With Visual Impairments: A Scoping Review

Abstract

This study evaluated physical activity interventions designed for individuals with visual impairments and sought to guide health intervention scientists aiming to promote physical activity in this demographic. We delved into the specifics of participants’ visual impairments, intervention features, accommodation approaches, and replicability prospects. The search spanned four databases, namely PubMed, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Scopus, providing a wide scope and diversity of potential studies. There were no restrictions on publication years. We reviewed 13 studies, totaling 15 interventions. A consensus on visual-impairment definitions remains elusive, and the intervention dosages displayed variability. Notably, 66.7% (n = 7) integrated behavior-change techniques to amplify physical activity levels. Multiple studies employed audio descriptions as an accommodation method. While most studies provided adequate information for potential replication, detailed study protocols were frequently absent. It is essential for developed interventions to be persistently evaluated and fine-tuned to optimize results.