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?

The goal of this study is to learn if contrast frequency on step tread-edges influences foot clearance measures, a marker of fall risk, in older adults with and without visual impairments.

The main questions that aim to be answered are how foot clearance measures change across different frequencies of stair contrast, and how experiences and perceptions of different stair contrast frequencies are evaluated.

Researchers will compare individuals with and without visual impairments to see if contrast frequency on step tread-edges changes.

Participants will attend one visit during which their vision will be measured, and they will be asked to ascend and descend laboratory stairs at different contrast frequencies.

An optional second visit will entail a focus group meeting to better understand how contrast affects mobility in their home and everyday life.

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