Building resilience and holistic well-being in visual impairment: A mixed-methods pilot study of a visually-adapted body-mind-spirit intervention

Abstract

Objective

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a culturally informed, visually adapted body–mind–spirit (BMS) group therapy—integrating Eastern gratitude philosophies with Western psychotherapy—on psychological resilience and depression among adults with visual impairment (VI).

Methods

A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study recruited 30 adults with VI (mean age 61.1 ± 11.4 years, range 32–78; 53.3% female, with 30 participants completing the study). The experimental group received 10 weekly 130-minute BMS sessions, while the comparison group received routine care. Longitudinal effects on holistic well-being (Holistic Well-Being Scale) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for baseline imbalances in sex, religious affiliation, VI severity, and comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index).

Results

The intervention demonstrated robust feasibility (91% attendance). Preliminary results indicate that therapeutic effects deepened over time: holistic well-being reached significance by Week 10 (26% increase, p = .02, d = 0.47). Depressive symptoms exhibited rapid and substantial reduction by Week 5 (62%, p < .001, d = -1.1) and Week 10 (72%, p < .001, d = -1.68). Qualitative findings indicated that a cognitive shift toward gratitude and altruism catalyzed psychological resilience, enhancing perceived vitality.

Conclusion

BMS therapy is a feasible and scalable intervention for fostering psychological resilience and alleviating depression in individuals with VI. By transforming perceived suffering into empowerment, this model provides a vital psychological buffer, emphasizing that building resilience through psychological transformation is a cumulative and effective preventive care process.