Perceptual Learning + tRNS for Visual Field Loss

(VIBRANT Trial)

Overseen By Kyungji Moon, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Georgetown University

Disqualifiers: Severe CNS diseases, Mental health challenges, Ocular disease, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 2 weeks

30 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores ways to assist individuals with homonymous hemianopia, a type of vision loss often caused by stroke, brain injury, or brain tumors. The researchers are investigating whether combining a special brain stimulation technique called transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) with visual training (perceptual learning-based training) can enhance sight. The trial includes two groups: one receives the actual treatment, while the other receives a placebo for comparison. Suitable participants include those who lost vision from a stroke or brain injury at least three months ago. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could lead to new treatment options for vision loss.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team to get a clear answer.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is generally safe. A review of studies on non-invasive electrical stimulation, including tRNS, found it well-tolerated, with most individuals not experiencing serious side effects.

Some report mild effects like tingling or itching on the skin where the device is used, but these effects are usually temporary. Studies also indicate that tRNS can improve visual tasks in both healthy individuals and those with certain vision problems. This makes tRNS promising for its safety and potential benefits. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments for visual field loss because they combine perceptual learning-based training with transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS). Unlike standard treatments that often rely on corrective lenses or surgery, this approach aims to enhance the brain's ability to process visual information. By pairing perceptual learning with tRNS, a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, the treatment may improve visual perception more effectively and quickly. This novel combination has the potential to offer a non-surgical, brain-focused alternative, making it a promising option for those with visual field loss.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for visual field loss?

In this trial, participants will receive either transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) with perceptual learning-based training or a sham stimulation with perceptual learning-based training. Research has shown that combining tRNS with perceptual learning can aid in vision recovery. Studies suggest that tRNS enhances the brain's ability to adapt and change, leading to improved visual learning. Specifically, tRNS has improved visual perception and task performance when applied to the visual cortex, the brain area responsible for processing visual information. This combination of methods has effectively enhanced visual skills, indicating potential benefits for individuals with vision problems like homonymous hemianopia. Overall, these findings provide promising evidence that this approach could improve vision. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The VIBRANT study is for individuals with visual field loss due to brain lesions from conditions like stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic injury. Participants should have homonymous hemianopia and be stable enough to undergo training and stimulation sessions.

Inclusion Criteria

I have had a stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury.

2. Capable of providing informed consent and complying with study procedures.

I am a healthy individual without the condition being studied.

Exclusion Criteria

3. Present or past (within past 6 months) drug or alcohol abuse or addiction based on DSM-5.

I do not have any brain disorders or mental health conditions that could affect the study.

I have had a stroke, brain tumor, or traumatic brain injury.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) combined with perceptual learning-based training or sham stimulation over multiple sessions

2 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in visual field function, visual perception, and quality of life

3 to 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Perceptual learning-based training
• transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS)

Trial Overview This trial tests if a combination of perceptual learning-based training and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) can improve vision in people with visual impairments from brain damage. It's a double-blind study where participants also receive sham (fake) treatments for comparison.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: tRNS with perceptual learning-based training Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Each 2-day session consists of up to three 18-minute transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) paired with perceptual learning-based training.

Group II: Sham with perceptual learning-based training Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Each 2-day session consists of up to three 18-minute sham stimulation paired with perceptual learning-based training.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Georgetown University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

355

Recruited

142,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10702794/

Enhancing visual perceptual learning using transcranial ... Our results suggest that alpha oscillations play a vital role in VPL. Our study provides a practical guide for vision rehabilitation. Keywords: transcranial ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05085210

Improving Visual Field Deficits With Noninvasive Brain ... The overarching goals for the study are as follows: Group 1a will test the basic effects of transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) coupled with visual ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422001919

Using noise for the better: The effects of transcranial ... In summary, most published studies suggest that tRNS can boost perception, and others have built on these findings by using tRNS as a tool in supporting ...

4. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-88396-4

The effect of transcranial random noise stimulation on ... Random noise stimulation improves neuroplasticity in perceptual learning. ... Perceptual learning and dynamic changes in primary visual cortex.

5. jneurosci.org jneurosci.org/content/31/43/15416

Random Noise Stimulation Improves Neuroplasticity in ... Our results confirmed the efficacy of hf-tRNS over the visual cortex in improving behavioral performance and showed its superiority in comparison to others tES.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10936670/

Effectiveness and Safety of Non-Invasive Neuromodulation for ... We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness and safety of non-invasive electrical stimulation (NES) for vision ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028393219300284

tRNS boosts perceptual learning in peripheral vision tRNS has been successfully used to boost PL in low-level foveal tasks (eg, contrast detection, orientation) in both healthy and clinical populations.

8. jneurosci.org jneurosci.org/content/36/19/5289

Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation of Visual Cortex Our results demonstrate that adding noise to cortical networks can improve human behavior and that tRNS is an appropriate tool to exploit this mechanism.

9. biorxiv.org biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.06.22.165969.full

Online Transcranial Random Noise stimulation improves ... Our results show that tRNS improves visual processing when stimulation is applied during task performance, but only at high levels of external visual white ...