Effectiveness of health-centered life skills training on health-related quality of life in mothers with blind children: A randomized controlled interventional study

Abstract

Background: Child visual impairment is one of the disabilities that influence the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of mothers. Therefore, it is necessary to establish appropriate interventions for enhancing their HRQOL. This study was conducted to assess the efficiency of a Health-Centered Life Skills Training (HCLST) program on the HRQOL of mothers with visually impaired children aged 7 to 12 years. Materials and Methods: The present study was a nonblinded, randomized, controlled trial on 52 mothers with visually impaired children studying at an educational complex. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method and were randomly divided into intervention and control groups using balanced block randomization method. The intervention group participated in a HCLST program, but the control group did not. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the 36-item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey, which were completed by the participants of both groups before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of total mean score of HRQOL before the intervention; however, it increased significantly immediately (Z = -5.73, p < 0.001) and 3 months (Z = -5.84, p < 0.001) after the intervention in the intervention group. A statistically significant increase was observed in the mean scores of the two main domains of the HRQOL, which were physical health (Z = -3.61, p < 0.001) and emotional health (Z = -6.19, p < 0.001) domains, only in the intervention group. Conclusions: HCLST program can be used as an effective technique for the improvement of the HRQOL in mothers with blind children.