Active clinical trials for "Vision, Low"

This project assesses the effect of bifocal cross-frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) combined with visual training to improve visual recovery and orchestrated oscillatory activity in stroke patients suffering from visual field defects.

One of the most challenging tasks for blind and visually impaired individuals is navigation through a complex environment. The goal of the present multidisciplinary study is to increase spatial-cognition abilities in people who are blind or visually impaired through training with the previously-developed Cognitive-Kinesthetic Rehabilitation Training to improve navigation, and to investigate the resultant neuroplastic brain reorganization through multimodal brain imaging. In accordance with National Eye Institute (NEI) strategic goals, this multidisciplinary project will promote the development of well-informed new approaches to navigational rehabilitation, memory enhancement and cross-modal brain plasticity to benefit 'cutting edge' fields of mobile assistive technologies, vision restoration and memory facilitation for the aging brain.

Active eye movement control training, an old and still most prevalent intervention in low vision rehabilitation (LVR) was never used in nystagmus clinically. Biofeedback training (BT) is the latest and newest technique for oculomotor control training in cases with low vision when using available modules in the new microperimetry instruments. Laboratory studies in the literature highlighted positive benefits from using BT in nystagmus cases. The purpose of this study is to assess systematically the impact of BT in a series of cases with Infantile Idiopathic Nystagmus (IIN) and formulate guidelines for further use of this intervention in nystagmus cases in general.

The human subject research is a randomized, controlled training trial that tests the effectiveness of three Virtual Reality-based Intelligent Orientation and Mobility Specialists (VR-IOMSs) in teaching orientation and mobility (O&M) task skills to low vision patients. It will be conducted on two sites, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB). The same protocol will be used on both sites. UAB will be the sIRB for the trial. Three O&M tasks will be studied, timing to cross a signalized street using the near lane parallel traffic surge skill, timing to cross an uncontrolled street using the traffic gap judgment skill and learning outdoor numbering system. A VR-IOMS will be develop for each task. The training does not involve research subjects walking into street traffic. Low vision subjects who have difficulties with these O&M tasks due to their impaired vision will be randomized into three groups, learning the task from a VR-IOMS (experimental group), from a human Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) in real streets (active control group) and not learning the task but spending the same amount of time watching low vision education videos (placebo group). All subjects will be evaluated by COMSs in real streets around the two study sites before training (pre-training), within 3 days after the completion of training (post-training) and 3 months after the completion of training (follow up). Their ability to perform the O&M tasks will be assess quantitatively using objective methods. COMSs who conduct these evaluations will be blinded for subject training assignment. The primary outcome measure is the training effect, the difference in task performance between the pre-training and post-training real street evaluations. The training effects of the 3 groups will be compared to determine the training effectiveness of the VR-IOMS relative to human COMS. Secondary outcome measures include the retainment of the training effect. Objective assessment of the VR-IOMS training process and trainee subjective evaluation of the VR-IOMS training will also be analyzed.

This is a randomized, pilot interventional study in participants with visual field deficit (VFD) caused by cortical lesion. Damage to the primary visual cortex (V1) causes a contra-lesional, homonymous loss of conscious vision termed hemianopsia, the loss of one half of the visual field. The goal of this project is to elaborate and refine a rehabilitation protocol for VFD participants. It is hypothesized that visual restoration training using moving stimuli coupled with noninvasive current stimulation on the visual cortex will promote and speed up recovery of visual abilities within the blind field in VFD participants. Moreover, it is expected that visual recovery positively correlates with reduction of the blind field, as measured with traditional visual perimetry: the Humphrey visual field test. Finally, although results will vary among participants depending on the extension and severity of the cortical lesion, it is expected that a bigger increase in neural response to moving stimuli in the blind visual field in cortical motion area, for those participants who will show the largest behavioral improvement after training. The overarching goals for the study are as follows: Group 1 will test the basic effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) coupled with visual training in stroke cohorts, including (i) both chronic and subacute VFD stroke participant, and (ii) longitudinal testing up to 6 months post-treatment. Group 2 will examine the effects of tRNS alone, without visual training, also including chronic and subacute VFD stroke participants and longitudinal testing.

The successful application of magnification devices for reading and daily tasks is predicated on their correct use by individuals with low vision (LV). Barriers related to transportation, geography, and/or co-morbidities often limit LV patients' ability to attend several in-office training sessions as part of low vision rehabilitation (LVR) to optimize visual function with magnification devices. A promising solution is real-time videoconferencing to provide telerehabilitation, involving remotely delivered LVR services by a LVR provider in office to a patient at home. Telerehabilitation for LV appears to be feasible and acceptable by both patients and LVR providers, yet there are no published outcomes on the potential to improve patients' visual functioning. Another key issue in LVR is the need for an effective system to continually assess how patients are functioning at home. Ideally this would involve a non-invasive, efficient method to assess when magnifier device abandonment occurs, so that a timely telerehabilitation session can be initiated. Small Bluetooth low energy beacon sensors attached to the handles of magnifiers can collect real-time data regarding minute-to-minute environmental changes, which might serve as an indicator of magnifier use by LV patients at home. Specifically, the investigators propose to assess the potential for telerehabilitation to enhance visual function by providing remotely-delivered LVR training to use magnification devices. Following one in-office training session for new magnification device(s), the investigators aim to determine if there is additional gain in visual functioning by randomizing subjects to telerehabilitation or additional in-office LVR (active control). Participants will be assessed before and after two consecutive periods: (1) one month after a single LVR training session, followed by (2) up to three LVR sessions over a three month period either via telerehabilitation in the participants' homes or LVR in-office. The investigators will determine which patient characteristics and/or magnification devices are most likely to benefit from telerehabilitation. The investigators will also determine whether data from Bluetooth beacon sensors are valid indicators of hand-held magnifier device usage by LV patients at home. The study investigators will deploy Estimote Sticker beacon sensors to subjects randomized to telerehabilitation or additional in-office LVR during the same study period. It is anticipated that beacon sensors will measure significantly increased temperature and/or motion when placed on the part of the magnification device held by LV patients while performing daily activities. Beacon sensor data will determine if it is feasible to assess when magnification devices are used, and if the frequency of magnifier use changes following telerehabilitation or in-office LVR. This work will evaluate and refine the procedures for implementing these technologies for LVR, in order to develop future randomized controlled trial protocols. The investigators envision that telerehabilitation and beacon sensors could improve LV patient outcomes by providing follow-up LVR services in a more efficient and timely manner.

This clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of our adaptive, therapeutic game to the effectiveness of the same game, without the adaptive component. In the adaptive game, the game entry level is adapted to the visual perceptual capacities of the child, as defined by the visual perceptual profile. In addition, the difficulty level of the adaptive game will adapt itself to the gaming results and behaviour of the child. The non-adaptive version of the game consists of the same set of mini-games, but the entry-level is the same for all children (basic or 0 entry-level) and gradually increased, independent of the gaming results, success and behaviour of the child. The researchers will use a double-blind, randomized controlled trial design, including children with a developmental age between 3 and 12 years old, a diagnosis of CVI, acuity >0.2, with sufficient manual coordination to control a mouse, keypad or touch screen. All children will use the gamified therapy program for three months, with a minimum of three times per week, 15- 20 minutes. A blinded evaluator will evaluate the effectiveness on the main components of the visual perceptual profile of the child (primary outcome), on eye tracking parameters, functional vision and quality of life, at the end and at three months follow-up. Enjoyment and user experience will be monitored closely during the intervention period. As usual and regular therapy of the children will not be influenced during the intervention period, we will ask the parents and/or caretaker to register all other relevant gaming and therapy activities performed during that period. It is hypothesized that children will benefit more from an individualized, adaptive training approach compared to the generic, non-adaptive version of the program.

Chronic NonSpecific Low Back Pain (CNSLBP) is a common musculoskeletal condition often resulting in physical inactivity and disability. CNSLBP is associated with a large number of social and health costs, being one of the most important health problems worldwide. Although Therapeutical Exercise (TE) has been shown to be effective in increasing physical activity tolerance, physical fitness, strength, self perceived quality of live, pain tolerance, and overall physical activity participation levels in persons with CNSLBP, pain-release-passive therapy modalities are significantly more commonly used in clinical settings at present. On the other hand, the use of tele-assistance platforms PTAs has been gaining importance in the treatment of CNSLBP patients, especially in the use of semi-directed TE programs. However, current PTAs are not accessible for the visually impaired, a group that is at greater risk of suffering from sedentary lifestyles, restricted mobility and musculoskeletal pain due to postural or gait changes. The main hypothesis of these study is that a semi-directed TE and health education programm, in people with and without visual impairment, achieves better results in movement capacity, functional recovery, strength and compared to passive analgesic treatment in patients with CNSLBP. In a second objective, we will assess the efficacy and usability of a new PTA accesible tool for the follow-up of patients with CNSLBP who are visually impaired.

This study will evaluate the use of autologous bone marrow derived stem cells (BMSC) for the treatment of retinal and optic nerve damage or disease.

To assess the use of contact lenses with transitions technology to improve glare, light sensitivity and overall visual comfort in patients with visual impairment.