Low Vision
Conditions
Keywords
robot
Brief summary
The aims of this exploratory research project are to customize, deploy and evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a socially assistive robot as a novel approach to motivate and encourage optimal, long-term use of new magnification devices for reading in individuals with vision loss. The goals are to promote patient acceptance, adherence and skills reinforcement to achieve proficiency in the use of the magnifier, in order to attempt to reduce visual disability while performing important daily activities, such as reading tasks. This is a high priority given the increasing prevalence of low vision, paucity of low vision rehabilitation providers, and barriers related to access to care, such as transportation and geography, all of which motivate the development of this complementary approach for the provision of additional support at home by the socially assistive robot.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSocially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation
A socially assistive robot will be customized to engage in dialog and conversations to motivate and encourage optimal use of new magnification devices for reading at home by individuals with vision loss.
Sponsors
University of Southern California
University of California, Los Angeles
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Individuals with any level of vision loss due to any ocular disease, * age 18 and older, * received a magnification device(s) (i.e., hand-held optical magnifiers, portable electronic video magnifiers, some stand magnifiers and CCTVs) from the UCLA Vision Rehabilitation Center.
Exclusion criteria
* schedules not permitting participation in planned study sessions or visits (including planning to move or take extended vacation during study period), * inability to understand study procedures or communicate responses to visual stimuli in a consistent manner (cognitive impairment as per TICS), * substance abuse, * significant hearing loss (unable to hear communication by phone or from robot), * significant medical condition likely to limit participation or lifespan, * their magnifier device has features that would not work in conjunction with the beacon sensors: (1) hands-free and do not have a place where the patient's hand is holding the device during use (therefore, they would not register a significant change in temperature), and/or (2) no surface area of at least 1x1 to which the beacon sensor could be attached without interfering with the device.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Inventory | change from 1 month post-enrollment to 2-3 months after receiving the socially assistive robot | questionnaire; scores will be Rasch analyzed in logic units with higher or positive scores indicating less difficulty (i.e., improvement) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sustained Silent Reading Test | baseline and monthly for 6 months | reading test |
| Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) | baseline and monthly for 6 months | questionnaire; scale ranges from 0 to 15 with higher values indicating greater depression |
| PANAS | baseline and monthly for 6 months | questionnaire; scale ranges from 10 to 50 with higher values indicating greater positive moods |
| MNread | For Immediate robot: baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months. For Delayed/Waitlist robot: baseline, 3 months, 6 months. | reading test |
| 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale | baseline and monthly for 6 months | questionnaire; scale ranges from 3 to 9 with higher values indicating greater loneliness |
| Duke Social Support Index | baseline and monthly for 6 months | questionnaire; scale ranges from 10 to 30 with higher values indicating greater social support |
| Almere | 1 month post-enrollment and 2-3 months after receiving the socially assistive robot | questionnaire; scale ranges from 41 to 205 with higher values indicating greater acceptance of robots |
| Perceived Stress Scale | baseline and monthly for 6 months | questionnaire; scale ranges from 0 to 56 with higher values indicating greater perceived stress |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactAva K Bittner, OD, PhD
Backup ContactAndrea Obligacion
Outcome results
None listed