Does mobility performance of visually impaired adults improve immediately after orientation and mobility training?

Background. Previous studies that have attempted to determine the effect of orientation and mobility training on mobility performance of visually impa ired adults have had a number of limitations. With the inclusion of a contr ol group of subjects, this study investigated the effect of orientation and mobility training on mobility performance of a group of visually impaired adults. Methods. Vision was measured binocularly as high- and low-contrast visual acuity, letter and edge contrast sensitivity, and Humphrey kinetic v isual fields. The subjects' mobility performance was assessed as percentage preferred walking speed (PPWS) and error score before and after mobility t raining. Results. Orientation and mobility training did not enhance mobilit y performance compared with the control group, who did not receive training , when performance was measured immediately after training. PPWS improved f or both groups with short-term practice only, but there was no improvement in error score due to either practice or training. Conclusions. There was n o immediate improvement in mobility performance of visually impaired adults after orientation and mobility training. Familiarity with the route may pl ay an important role in measured improvement of mobility performance after orientation and mobility training.