Multi-sensory Rehabilitation for Low Vision

Overseen By Gislin Dagnelie, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: State University of New York College of Optometry

Disqualifiers: Under 12, Sighted guide, Cognitive impairment

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 months

36 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve life for people with very low vision by testing new ways to help them use their remaining sight. It will examine two training methods: Visual Information Training, which focuses on using visual information, and Multimodal Training, which combines multiple senses to aid vision. The goal is to find better rehabilitation methods after treatments for serious eye diseases. People with ultra-low vision who are not reliant on a sighted guide and do not have cognitive impairments might be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance rehabilitation methods for those with ultra-low vision.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this multisensory rehabilitation protocol is safe for people with low vision?

In a previous study, people with vision impairments tried a new training method that uses multiple senses to assist with navigation and other tasks. The study found that touch and sound feedback reduced collisions and improved movement. No major safety concerns arose from this training.

For training that focuses on visual information, research has shown it helps people with low vision better utilize their remaining sight. This training includes activities like understanding spatial relationships. Studies did not report any major negative effects, indicating the training is generally safe and well-tolerated.

Both training methods aim to help those with low vision enhance their daily lives. Research indicates they are safe and may offer real benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the multi-sensory rehabilitation approach for low vision because it introduces innovative strategies like Multimodal Training and Visual Information Training. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely solely on optical aids or surgery, these methods emphasize enhancing the brain's ability to process visual information through various sensory inputs. This could lead to improved visual function and quality of life for individuals with low vision by engaging multiple senses to compensate for vision deficits. The hope is that these techniques will offer a more comprehensive and adaptive way to manage low vision, beyond what current standard therapies can achieve.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for low vision?

Research has shown that multisensory rehabilitation can assist people with severe vision loss. One study found that this training improves spatial understanding and navigation for those blind from birth. In this trial, participants will join different treatment arms. One arm will receive Visual Information Training, focusing on enhancing eye movements to compensate for lost vision. Another arm will receive Multimodal Training, which uses technology for remote multisensory training to improve eye movement effectively. These findings suggest that both Multimodal Training and Visual Information Training can enhance the quality of life for individuals with significant vision loss. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Arathy Kartha, PhD

Principal Investigator

State University of New York College of Optometry

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with ultra low vision, meaning their visual acuity is at or below 20/1600. It's designed to help improve their quality of life by testing a new rehabilitation program.

Inclusion Criteria

People with ultra low vision (visual acuity ≤20/1600)

Exclusion Criteria

Cognitive impairment

I rely on someone to help me see or get around.

I am under 12 years old.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo a multisensory rehabilitation program to improve visual, hand-eye coordination, and hearing abilities

6 months

Monthly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Multimodal training
• Visual Information Training

Trial Overview The study tests a multi-sensory rehabilitation program that includes Visual Information Training and Multimodal training, aiming to fill the gap in current treatments for those with profound visual impairment.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Visual Information Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: Multimodal Training Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

State University of New York College of Optometry

Lead Sponsor

Trials

20

Recruited

1,100+

Johns Hopkins University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2,366

Recruited

15,160,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Visual rehabilitation significantly improves the quality of life for individuals with low vision or blindness from untreatable causes by helping them use their remaining vision effectively.

A multidisciplinary approach is essential for successful low vision rehabilitation, which includes assessing visual functions, prescribing aids, and training patients to use these devices, while also incorporating new technological advancements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current Modalities for Low Vision Rehabilitation. Agarwal, R., Tripathi, A.[2021]

The Acquired Monocular Vision Rehabilitation (AMVR) program effectively enhances the skills and independence of monocular patients, as demonstrated in a case report involving a patient who showed increased self-confidence and improved motor skills after a year of rehabilitation.

The program highlights the importance of tailored rehabilitation for monocular patients, suggesting that such interventions can prevent depression and improve overall quality of life, warranting further research and integration into existing vision rehabilitation services.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Vision rehabilitation team management of acquired monocular vision. Ihrig, C.[2013]

A study involving 50 individuals with visual impairment showed that 60 hours of training in special software and mobile apps significantly improved quality of life across multiple dimensions, including mobility and reading skills.

This training not only enhanced participants' independence and ability to manage daily activities but also reduced their reliance on assistance, marking a promising rehabilitation approach for individuals with visual impairment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of special software training on quality of life among people with visual impairment. Bhaskaran, S., Ravikumar, P., Flora, J., et al.[2023]

Recent advancements in visual rehabilitation, including noninvasive sensory substitution devices (SSDs) and invasive visual prostheses, show promise in teaching the brain to process visual information, even for individuals with severe visual impairments.

SSDs can serve multiple purposes: they can help blind individuals perform daily tasks, train the brain for future invasive procedures, and enhance functional vision after surgery, highlighting the brain's flexibility and adaptability in processing visual information.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The brain as a flexible task machine: implications for visual rehabilitation using noninvasive vs. invasive approaches. Reich, L., Maidenbaum, S., Amedi, A.[2013]

Effective visual rehabilitation for individuals with low vision involves not only understanding the psychological aspects of their condition but also the proper training in using visual aids for both distance and near tasks.

The paper emphasizes the need for future recommendations to enhance training procedures and address psychological considerations in low vision rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An overview of visual rehabilitation and training of the low vision patient. Newman, JD., Pogoda, A.[2004]

Training low vision patients to effectively use low vision aids is crucial for improving their quality of life and independence.

A team approach, involving various experts, enhances the training process, making it a vital component of follow-up care in low vision rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Training low vision patients. Kelleher, DK.[2004]

The Audio Visual Thumble (AVT) device is designed to assist individuals with macular degeneration by combining audio and visual feedback to enhance their spatial awareness and target identification.

This innovative device could serve as a valuable tool in low-vision rehabilitation, complementing traditional methods and potentially improving the quality of life for those with visual impairments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Audio-Visual Thumble (AVT): A low-vision rehabilitation device using multisensory feedbacks. Ahmad, H., Tonelli, A., Crepaldi, M., et al.[2020]

Current rehabilitation programs for low vision do not adequately address the specific needs of patients who have suddenly lost vision in one eye, known as acquired monocular vision.

The proposed Acquired Monocular Vision Rehabilitation program aims to improve support for these patients by coordinating care among eye care professionals and social caseworkers, helping them adapt to their new visual challenges.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acquired Monocular Vision Rehabilitation program. Ihrig, C., Schaefer, DP.[2019]

Rehabilitation for patients with low vision focuses on enhancing their remaining sight through the use of optical and electronic devices, along with tailored training programs to improve reading abilities and mobility.

Successful rehabilitation depends on individual factors such as residual vision and personal characteristics, and it requires a collaborative approach with other rehabilitation services to address various aspects of daily living and psychological support.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Support for patients loosing sight. Trauzettel-Klosinski, S., Hahn, GA.[2019]

The systematic review identified 15 studies on rehabilitation interventions for visually impaired individuals in low- and middle-income countries, revealing a general positive effect of these interventions, but highlighting a significant lack of high-quality evidence due to many studies having a high risk of bias.

Future research is needed to establish the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation devices and models tailored for low-resource settings, as this is crucial for improving low vision services in these regions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multidisciplinary visual rehabilitation in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. Wallace, S., Alao, R., Kuper, H., et al.[2022]

In a study of 779 patients undergoing low vision rehabilitation (LVR) across 28 clinical centers, nearly half (47%) showed clinically meaningful improvements in overall visual ability after 6 to 9 months of rehabilitation.

The largest effect size was observed in overall visual ability (Cohen d = 0.87), indicating significant benefits from LVR, with age and visual acuity being important predictors of improvement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinically Meaningful Rehabilitation Outcomes of Low Vision Patients Served by Outpatient Clinical Centers. Goldstein, JE., Jackson, ML., Fox, SM., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05028712

Development of a Multi-sensory Rehabilitation Program for ... This research is aimed to address one of the big gaps in the current vision rehabilitation protocols for people with profound visual impairment by evaluating a ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6448563/

Clinical outcomes of low vision rehabilitation delivered by a ... This prospective cohort study examined clinical outcomes of low vision rehabilitation (LVR) delivered by a mobile clinic. Participants were recruited from ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4515568/

Visual rehabilitation: visual scanning, multisensory stimulation ... VST and AViST aim at compensating vision loss by training eye scanning movements, whereas VRT aims at improving lost vision by activating residual visual ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnint.2017.00029/full

Multisensory Rehabilitation Training Improves Spatial ... We found that spatial performance of congenitally blind but not low vision children is improved after the training.

5. jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-025-01573-4

Telerehabilitation for visual field defects with a multisensory ... Multisensory training delivered in telerehabilitation is feasible and effective for ameliorating oculomotor compensation of visual field loss, ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7393219/

A Community Case Study - PMC - PubMed Central We present a case study of a visually impaired child enrolled in a newly developed re-habilitation intervention aimed at improving the overall development.

7. centerwatch.com centerwatch.com/clinical-trials/listings/NCT05028712/development-of-a-multi-sensory-rehabilitation-program-for-people-with-ultra-low-vision

Development of a Multi-sensory Rehabilitation Program for ... This research is aimed to address one of the big gaps in the current vision rehabilitation protocols for people with profound visual ...

8. rehab.jmir.org rehab.jmir.org/2024/1/e55776/

Navigation Training for Persons With Visual Disability Through ... This study tests a VR platform for navigation training, using haptic and audio feedback. Haptic reduced collisions, and audio improved ...

9. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2227-9032/13/7/712

Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired People: Experiences ... This study aims to explore the perceptions of visually impaired patients and their families regarding rehabilitation.