Stairway Designs for Visual Impairment

Overseen By Sara A Harper, PhD

Age: 65+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Disqualifiers: Severe rheumatologic, orthopedic diseases, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different color contrasts on stair edges might affect the safety of stair use for people with and without visual impairments. Researchers aim to determine if altering the contrast frequency on stair steps can prevent falls by improving foot lift. Participants will test various stair designs in a lab and share their experiences in a focus group to assess the impact on everyday movement. Ideal participants can comfortably use stairs independently at least twice a week and do not have severe joint problems or recent leg injuries. As an unphased study, this trial offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative research that could enhance safety and accessibility for all.

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 stairway design is safe for individuals with visual impairments?

Research has shown that high-contrast markings on stairs can improve visibility, aiding in better judgment of their shape. For instance, one study found that high-contrast stripes on stairs with uneven steps led to fewer falls. Another study demonstrated that increased contrast on stair edges reduced fall-related incidents compared to stairs without these changes. These findings suggest that varying contrast levels on stair steps is safe and may lower the risk of falling. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a new way to help people with visual impairments navigate stairs safely. Unlike traditional methods that rely on handrails or textured stair treads, this trial examines the use of different frequencies of contrast marking on stair steps. By testing various patterns and contrasts, the study aims to find the most effective visual cues to enhance safety and independence for those with visual challenges.

What evidence suggests that this stair contrast design is effective for reducing fall risk in older adults with visual impairments?

Research has shown that high-contrast markings on stair steps improve visibility. This enhancement helps people better perceive the stairs' shape and size, potentially reducing fall risk. Studies have found that high-contrast stripes on stairs result in fewer falls, particularly for individuals with low vision. By increasing the visibility of stair treads, the likelihood of falling while descending stairs decreases. Overall, enhancing stair visibility with contrast markings could promote safer movement, especially for those with visual impairments. In this trial, participants will experience various conditions of contrast marking frequency to assess their effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sara A Harper, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama in Huntsville

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults who have vision impairments like low vision or limited mobility. Participants should be able to visit the lab at least once to walk on stairs with different contrast markings and may join a focus group in an optional second visit.

Inclusion Criteria

I can move around on my own, including using stairs more than twice a week.

≥ Contrast sensitivity log 1.6 or greater

I can go up and down stairs with breaks.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not have severe joint diseases or am waiting for a joint replacement.

I have had a recent lower-limb injury or joint replacement.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Experimental Visit

Participants attend a visit where their vision is measured and they ascend and descend laboratory stairs at different contrast frequencies

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Optional Focus Group

An optional second visit for a focus group meeting to understand how contrast affects mobility in home and everyday life

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the experimental visit

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Frequency of contrast marking on stair steps

Trial Overview

The study tests how changing the frequency of contrast marking on stair steps affects foot clearance, which can indicate fall risk. It compares results between those with visual impairments and without, through one or more visits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will participate in the experimental arm, that involves a factorial model approach inwhich all participants will experience all eight conditions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

Lead Sponsor

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11164630/

Conspicuity of staircase configuration: Effects of markings and ...

Adding marking patterns such as high-contrast transverse stripes to stairs may help enhance the visibility of the stairs and judgments of staircase geometry.

2.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/phase-vision-low-2026-ddd4d

Stairway Designs for Visual Impairment · Info for Participants

The study tests how changing the frequency of contrast marking on stair steps affects foot clearance, which can indicate fall risk. It compares ...

3.

i-jmr.org

i-jmr.org/2025/1/e60622/

Interstep Variations of Stairways and Associations of High- ...

When high-contrast striping was added to flights of stairs with high interstep variation, there were fewer fall-related events observed over a ...

4.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/248213631_The_effect_of_high-contrast_marking_of_treads_on_the_descent_of_stairways_by_low-vision_people

The effect of high-contrast marking of treads on the descent ...

Increasing the visibility of the treads of stairs may reduce the risk for falls of low-vision people during the descent of stairs.

5.

medrxiv.org

medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.03.25.22271716v1.full-text

Stairway visual contrast enhancement to reduce fall-related ...

We found that the combined visual contrast enhancement of step face and edge reduced the number of fall-related events compared to a control ...

6.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S053155652100084X

The next step in optimising the stair horizontal-vertical illusion

Horizontal-vertical illusions included a previously developed design and versions with modified spatial frequencies and mark space ratios.