Virtual reality training for low vision orientation and mobility skills
Automated Orientation & Mobility Training in Virtual Reality for Low Vision Rehabilitation
This study is testing if virtual reality training can help people with low vision learn important skills for safely navigating outdoors and crossing streets.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 102 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Alabama at Birmingham Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Birmingham, Alabama and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04639531 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This trial evaluates the effectiveness of three Virtual Reality-based Intelligent Orientation and Mobility Specialists (VR-IOMSs) in teaching essential orientation and mobility skills to individuals with low vision. Conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, participants will be randomized into groups to learn specific tasks related to street crossing and outdoor navigation using VR technology. The study aims to enhance the independence and safety of low vision patients by providing innovative training methods without exposing them to real traffic.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals with stable, late-onset visual impairment who have not received formal orientation and mobility training.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments or those who do not possess sufficient functional vision to learn the tasks may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the mobility and independence of patients with low vision.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in rehabilitation is gaining traction, this specific application for low vision orientation and mobility training is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
* Have stable, late-onset visual impairment.
* Not have had formal O\&M training. Potential participants will be taken to real streets by COMS and their performance on the 3 studied tasks will be evaluated.
* Following visual function requirements for the three studied O\&M tasks
* Task NLPT: best corrected visual acuity of 20/650 or worse
* Task TGJ:
* central vision loss - acuity 20/100-20/300, radius of field 50-80 deg
* peripheral vision loss - acuity 20/15-20/100, radius of field 5-55 deg
* Task ONS: visual function requirements for both Tasks NLPT \& TGJ
* Possess sufficient functional vision to learn the O\&M tasks (evaluated by COMS in real streets)
* Have O\&M as a rehabilitation goal
* Normal or corrected to normal hearing
* No cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or MoCA-blind (MoCA-B) score exceeds education-adjusted cutoffs)
* Dexterity to operate a pointing mouse or a joystick
* Physical stamina to walk a few street blocks under guidance of COMSs and to stand or sit for 30-min training sessions on the street or in the VR simulator
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients in the rapid progression phase of ocular diseases, such as wet macular degeneration
* Patients under aggressive treatment of ocular diseases, such as VEGF injection for retinal diseases
* Patients with congenital visual impairment will be excluded.
* Participants will be excluded from the training for the skills that they already master.
* Participants who have a history of epileptic seizure or are prone to motion sickness will be excluded.
* Have difficulty in verbal communication in English.
Where this trial is running
Birmingham, Alabama and 1 other locations
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
- Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind — Talladega, Alabama, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lei Liu, PhD — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Lei Liu, PhD
- Email: liul7788@uab.edu
- Phone: 2059966627
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.