Trial Outcomes & Findings for Improving Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (NCT NCT00572039)

NCT ID: NCT00572039

Last Updated: 2025-04-15

Results Overview

We identified and quantified the TVF goals that subjects valued but found difficult to achieve. To derive the TVF measure, at baseline subjects completed the Activities Inventory, a structured vision function questionnaire that asks patients to rate the value and difficulty of 48 vision function goals (e.g., daily meal preparation) and the tasks (e.g., seeing stove settings) that are required to achieve them. If a goal is important (range of 0 \[not important\]to 4 \[very important\]), the subject rates its "difficulty" (on a scale of 0 \[not difficult\] to 4 \[impossible\]). The average TVF score is the sum of the difficulty ratings of the (up to) 4 self-selected goals divided by the number of goals (from 1 to 4). Higher average scores indicate greater disability. At each outcome assessment subjects again rated the difficulty of the same targeted goals and the average TVF score was calculated.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE3

Target enrollment

241 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

3-Months

Results posted on

2025-04-15

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
Problem-solving therapy teaches problem solving skills in a structured way to enable a patient to systematically identify his or her problems, generate alternative solutions for each problem, select the best solution, develop and conduct a plan, and evaluate whether the problem is solved.
Supportive Therapy
Supportive therapy is a structured, standardized, psychological treatment that controls for nonspecific treatment effects. Supportive therapy resembles PST in all ways but for PST's problem-solving skills training. Both interventions are based on written treatment manuals and similar in dose and intensity of attention (number and duration of sessions). Supportive therapy is nondirective and supportive, facilitates personal expression, and conveys empathy, respect, and optimism (i.e., a general sense that things can get better). The ST therapist informs subjects that ST's purpose is to explore the impact of vision loss on their lives.
Overall Study
STARTED
121
120
Overall Study
COMPLETED
105
110
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
16
10

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
Problem-solving therapy teaches problem solving skills in a structured way to enable a patient to systematically identify his or her problems, generate alternative solutions for each problem, select the best solution, develop and conduct a plan, and evaluate whether the problem is solved.
Supportive Therapy
Supportive therapy is a structured, standardized, psychological treatment that controls for nonspecific treatment effects. Supportive therapy resembles PST in all ways but for PST's problem-solving skills training. Both interventions are based on written treatment manuals and similar in dose and intensity of attention (number and duration of sessions). Supportive therapy is nondirective and supportive, facilitates personal expression, and conveys empathy, respect, and optimism (i.e., a general sense that things can get better). The ST therapist informs subjects that ST's purpose is to explore the impact of vision loss on their lives.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
9
6
Overall Study
Death
2
3
Overall Study
Ill
5
1

Baseline Characteristics

Improving Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=121 Participants
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) PST: PST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Supportive Therapy
n=120 Participants
Supportive Therapy (ST) ST: ST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Total
n=241 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Continuous
82.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.6 • n=5 Participants
82.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.3 • n=7 Participants
82.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
82 Participants
n=5 Participants
71 Participants
n=7 Participants
153 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
39 Participants
n=5 Participants
49 Participants
n=7 Participants
88 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
120 Participants
n=5 Participants
119 Participants
n=7 Participants
239 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
121 participants
n=5 Participants
120 participants
n=7 Participants
241 participants
n=5 Participants
Targeted vision function
2.71 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .52 • n=5 Participants
2.73 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .52 • n=7 Participants
2.72 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION .52 • n=5 Participants
NEI VFQ-25 + supplement total score
66.2 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.3 • n=5 Participants
65.8 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.2 • n=7 Participants
66.0 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.2 • n=5 Participants
Patient Health Questionnaire-9
1.39 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.67 • n=5 Participants
1.17 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.28 • n=7 Participants
1.28 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.48 • n=5 Participants
Number of resources/rehabilitative devices used
5.14 number of resources/devices used
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.34 • n=5 Participants
4.71 number of resources/devices used
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.02 • n=7 Participants
4.93 number of resources/devices used
STANDARD_DEVIATION 3.18 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 3-Months

Population: 106 PST and 112 ST participants provided data at 3 months.

We identified and quantified the TVF goals that subjects valued but found difficult to achieve. To derive the TVF measure, at baseline subjects completed the Activities Inventory, a structured vision function questionnaire that asks patients to rate the value and difficulty of 48 vision function goals (e.g., daily meal preparation) and the tasks (e.g., seeing stove settings) that are required to achieve them. If a goal is important (range of 0 \[not important\]to 4 \[very important\]), the subject rates its "difficulty" (on a scale of 0 \[not difficult\] to 4 \[impossible\]). The average TVF score is the sum of the difficulty ratings of the (up to) 4 self-selected goals divided by the number of goals (from 1 to 4). Higher average scores indicate greater disability. At each outcome assessment subjects again rated the difficulty of the same targeted goals and the average TVF score was calculated.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=106 Participants
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) PST: PST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Supportive Therapy
n=112 Participants
Supportive Therapy (ST) ST: ST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Targeted Vision Function (TVF)
2.18 units on a scale
Standard Error .88
2.14 units on a scale
Standard Error .96

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 months

Population: 105 PST and 110 ST participants provided data at 6 months.

We identified and quantified the TVF goals that subjects valued but found difficult to achieve. To derive the TVF measure, at baseline subjects completed the Activities Inventory, a structured vision function questionnaire that asks patients to rate the value and difficulty of 48 vision function goals (e.g., daily meal preparation) and the tasks (e.g., seeing stove settings) that are required to achieve them. If a goal is important (range of 0 \[not important\]to 4 \[very important\]), the subject rates its "difficulty" (on a scale of 0 \[not difficult\] to 4 \[impossible\]). The average TVF score is the sum of the difficulty ratings of the (up to) 4 self-selected goals divided by the number of goals (from 1 to 4). Higher average scores indicate greater disability. At each outcome assessment subjects again rated the difficulty of the same targeted goals and the average TVF score was calculated.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=105 Participants
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) PST: PST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Supportive Therapy
n=110 Participants
Supportive Therapy (ST) ST: ST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Targeted Vision Function
2.18 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .95
2.15 units on a scale
Standard Deviation .96

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 3-Months

Population: 106 PST and 112 ST participants provided data at 3 months.

We administered the 25-item National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionaire plus Supplement (NEI-VFQ).19 This version of the NEI VFQ consists of 39 items that assess self-reported vision function and vision-related QoL. The latter yields a multidimensional index of vision-related health composed of social functioning (social interactions), mental health (worry, frustration), role difficulties (accomplishing less), and dependency (relying more on others) due to vision loss. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=106 Participants
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) PST: PST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Supportive Therapy
n=112 Participants
Supportive Therapy (ST) ST: ST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Vision-related Quality of Life
66.6 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 14.9
65.2 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.2

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 6 months

Population: 105 PST and 110 ST participants provided data at 6 months.

We administered the 25-item National Eye Institute Vision Function Questionaire plus Supplement (NEI-VFQ).19 This version of the NEI VFQ consists of 39 items that assess self-reported vision function and vision-related QoL. The latter yields a multidimensional index of vision-related health composed of social functioning (social interactions), mental health (worry, frustration), role difficulties (accomplishing less), and dependency (relying more on others) due to vision loss. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better function.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=105 Participants
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) PST: PST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Supportive Therapy
n=110 Participants
Supportive Therapy (ST) ST: ST will be delivered in subjects' homes over the course of 6 weeks.
Vision-related Quality of Life
66.4 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 16.7
64.8 units on a scale
Standard Deviation 17.4

Adverse Events

Problem Solving Treatment

Serious events: 35 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Supportive Therapy

Serious events: 29 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Serious adverse events
Measure
Problem Solving Treatment
n=121 participants at risk
Problem-solving therapy teaches problem solving skills in a structured way to enable a patient to systematically identify his or her problems, generate alternative solutions for each problem, select the best solution, develop and conduct a plan, and evaluate whether the problem is solved.
Supportive Therapy
n=120 participants at risk
Supportive therapy is a structured, standardized, psychological treatment that controls for nonspecific treatment effects. Supportive therapy resembles PST in all ways but for PST's problem-solving skills training. Both interventions are based on written treatment manuals and similar in dose and intensity of attention (number and duration of sessions). Supportive therapy is nondirective and supportive, facilitates personal expression, and conveys empathy, respect, and optimism (i.e., a general sense that things can get better). The ST therapist informs subjects that ST's purpose is to explore the impact of vision loss on their lives.
Psychiatric disorders
Depression
4.1%
5/121 • Number of events 5
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Fall
5.0%
6/121 • Number of events 6
6.7%
8/120 • Number of events 8
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Amputation
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
Cardiac disorders
Congestive Heart Failure
1.7%
2/121 • Number of events 2
2.5%
3/120 • Number of events 3
Cardiac disorders
Death due to CHF
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Cardiac disorders
Cardiac event
3.3%
4/121 • Number of events 4
1.7%
2/120 • Number of events 2
Vascular disorders
Stroke
2.5%
3/121 • Number of events 3
1.7%
2/120 • Number of events 2
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Dehydration/anemia
0.00%
0/121
2.5%
3/120 • Number of events 3
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Knee pain/back pain
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pneumonia
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
4.2%
5/120 • Number of events 5
Endocrine disorders
hypoglycemia
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
Vascular disorders
Varicosities
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
General disorders
Death NOS
1.7%
2/121 • Number of events 2
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps)
Pagets diesease
0.00%
0/121
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Vascular disorders
Subdural hematoma
0.00%
0/121
0.83%
1/120 • Number of events 1
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Fracture
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
Gastrointestinal disorders
Severe reflux, Hiatal hernia, Bowel obstruction
2.5%
3/121 • Number of events 3
0.00%
0/120
Nervous system disorders
Syncope
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Myasthenia Gravis
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Pulmonary hypertension
0.83%
1/121 • Number of events 1
0.00%
0/120

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Barry W. Rovner, MD

Thomas Jefferson University

Phone: 2155031254

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place