Effectiveness of educational intervention on knowledge of B.Sc. Nursing Students Regarding Bates Therapy for Visual...

Visual impairment affects over 2.2 billion people globally, with many cases preventable. In Saudi Arabia, refractive errors, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are the leading causes. Bates therapy, a non-pharmacological approach involving eye exercises, has gained attention for managing visual strain. Given the growing interest, it is crucial for nursing students to be knowledgeable about such therapies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention on Bates therapy knowledge among B.Sc. nursing students.

A quasi-experimental one-group pre-test-post-test design was done. The total of 60, B.Sc. nursing students from level 10, were considered as a sample for the study. The sample was selected using a convenience sampling method. The study was done from September to November 2024. Data were collected through a structured 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire, covering Bates therapy's definitions, methods, and benefits. Pre-tests and post-tests were conducted before and after a 2-h interactive educational session. The intervention included PowerPoint presentations, group discussions, and live demonstrations. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test to assess knowledge changes.

The majority of participants were aged 21-22 years, with 71.7% having heard of Bates therapy. Post-intervention results showed a significant increase in knowledge scores, with a mean difference of -4.40 (SD = 3.22), t (59) = -10.596, P < 0.0001.

The educational intervention significantly improved B.Sc. nursing students' knowledge of Bates therapy. This study underscores the importance of integrating alternative therapies like Bates therapy into nursing curricula, enhancing future nurses' ability to provide holistic, patient-centered care.