Investigating visual search behavior in different task conditions

Prevalence Effects in Visual Search: Theoretical and Practical Implications (H)

NA · Brigham and Women's Hospital · NCT06934148

This study is testing how people search for things visually when they do the same task over and over versus when they switch between different tasks.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorBrigham and Women's Hospital (other)
Locations1 site (Newton, Massachusetts)
Trial IDNCT06934148 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This experiment aims to explore how visual search behavior differs when participants perform the same search task repeatedly versus when they are presented with mixed tasks. Four distinct search tasks will be tested, with the target remaining constant while the distractors vary. Participants will engage in either a Blocked condition, where they complete a set number of trials for each task, or a Mixed condition, where tasks are randomized. The findings could provide insights into real-world visual search processes compared to traditional lab methods.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals who can pass the Ishihara color vision test and have normal vision of 20/25 or better with correction.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of neuromuscular or visual disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of visual attention and improve strategies for tasks requiring visual search.

How similar studies have performed: While similar studies have explored visual search, this specific approach of comparing blocked versus mixed tasks is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

• Pass Ishihara color vision test

Exclusion Criteria:

* vision less than 20/25 with correction
* history of neuromuscular or visual disorders

Where this trial is running

Newton, Massachusetts

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Vision, Healthy, Attention, visual search, visual attention

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.