Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Objective Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment globally. While evidence suggests that modifying diet, exercise and smoking behaviours can slow AMD progression, there are no existing lifestyle interventions to provide support in achieving each of these goals for those with AMD. Thus, this study aimed to assess the feasibility of an online holistic lifestyle intervention for those with AMD delivered via Zoom in improving dietary behaviours, falls self-efficacy, physical activity, quality of life, loneliness and visual function. Methods Our pilot trial recruited older adults with AMD who had access to Zoom for a weekly hour-long intervention for 8-weeks. Half the session was allocated to informal socialising and AMD-related nutritional education, with the other half for physical activity. Outcomes included changes in scores of the Short Dietary Questionnaire for AMD, Falls Self-Efficacy Scale-International, Active Australia Survey physical activity, Assessment of Quality of Life-8-Dimensions, De-Jong-Gierveld Loneliness Scale and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25. Results Fifty-four participants were screened, and 16 completed the 8-week intervention. Of the 16 participants, 14 were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the intervention, and 15 felt that they adhered to dietary advice, would recommend the intervention to others, and felt it was worth participating. Conclusion Overall, the online lifestyle intervention was acceptable in this small cohort of participants with AMD, and showed trends towards improved physical activity, falls self-efficacy, loneliness and visual function. High adherence and participant satisfaction warrant further studies to optimise the intervention’s recruitment and impact.</p>