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Usability of the Software MacuFix for the Categorization of Metamorphopsia

Usability of the Software MacuFix for the Categorization of Metamorphopsia and Evaluation of Patient Adherence Compared to the Amsler Grid

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04347564
Acronym
MacuFix
Enrollment
45
Registered
2020-04-15
Start date
2020-05-04
Completion date
2020-09-30
Last updated
2021-05-18

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Vision Disorders

Keywords

metamorphopsia, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, home test

Brief summary

The usability of a novel test to categorize a distorted visual impression (metamorphopsia) is examined with the questionnaire SUS

Detailed description

Introduction Diseases of the retinal centre (macula) can lead to a distorted visual impression (metamorphopsia). The usability of a novel on-screen test to categorize metamorphopsia is to be examined with the questionnaire SUS to determine how user-friendly the software is perceived. Purpose To examine the usability of the software for persons perceiving metamorphopsia employing the questionnaire SUS. Aim of the work Improvement of the software in terms of user-friendliness. Methods For this observational pilot study, 30 persons are to be recruited from the patient pool of a private practice. Primary endpoint: Score of the SUS questionnaire. Each participating person performs the test once with each eye wearing appropriate near correction. The test shows on a screen 4 square fields with a grid pattern of horizontal and vertical lines. All 4 fields have lines that are partially distorted. The task of the test person is to select the field with more distinctively distorted lines when viewed with one eye.This selection must be made at least 10 times per eye: an algorithm determines the smallest correctly named distortion difference. Afterwards each person answers the System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire, SUS contains five positive and five negative statements on the usability of the system being evaluated. For each statement, the study participant gives his or her approval or rejection in the form of a scale ranging from 1= strong approval to 5= strong rejection of the statement. The results of the SUS questionnaire are used to calculate a numerical value (SUS score).

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

Augenheilkunde Lindenthal
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Distorted visual impression in at least one eye, detected with Amsler grid: 2. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA): at least 20/200; age over 18 years; presence of a declaration of consent to participate in the study

Exclusion criteria

No distorted visual impression in both eyes; best corrected visual acuity under 0.1; age under 18 years

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Score of System Usability Scale (SUS) Questionnaire1 dayPatients filled out the SUS questionnaire immediately after completing the MacuFix test. SUS consists of ten statements each with five possible answers ranging from complete rejection to complete agreement. For each statement, the participant gives his or her approval or rejection in the form of a scale ranging from 1=strong approval to 5=strong rejection. The results of the SUS questionnaire are used to calculate a numerical value (SUS score).The results can have a value between 0 (worst application imaginable) and 100 (best application imaginable)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Median Time Interval (in Days) Between Two Self-test Measurements (MakuFix or Amsler Respectively) to Assess the Test AdherenceOn the study day and 3 months after the study day, patients were asked how many days usually elapsed after a test with the method they chose until the next time they used this test method.After a positive vote by the Ethics Committee of the North Rhine Medical Association (No. 2020057) 45 patients were included in the study from 4th May, 2020 - 30th June, 2020. Based on the amendment approval of the competent ethics committee (No. 600213225) participating persons were offered to use the App MacuFix® as a home test and to start a prospective, controlled study to examine the adherence using a self-test and evaluate the vison-related quality of life. On the study day and 3 months later each patient was asked about the frequency of use of the Amsler test. The time interval given by the patient between two Amsler Tests (Amsler group) or two MacuFix texts (MacuFix group) was assessed in days.
Change of Vision-related Quality of Life (NEI VFQ-25, Subscale 7) After Use of the App MacuFix Versus Amsler Grid/no TestThe validated questionnaire National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) was used at baseline and after 3 months.The validated questionnaire National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) was used to measure vision-related quality of life. The values in the questionnaire can take values from 0 to 100. High values in this questionnaire correspond to a better quality of life, low values to a poor quality of life. The 25 questions of this questionnaire can be assigned to 12 scales.

Countries

Germany

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Of 75 patients questioned, 45 participated in the study.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Initial Population
As part of a routine examination, each participating patient carried out the MacuFix test with each eye with adequate near correction once in the period 4th May, 2020 - 30th June,2020. In addition, BCVA was measured, patients filled out the vision-related questionnaire NEI VFQ-25, patients were asked about the frequency of use of the Amsler test, a retinal examination and a spectral domain OCT was performed. After performing the MacuFix® test all study patients filled out the pseudonymised questionnaire SUS. If they were interested, the patients were given a link for free use of MacuFix® as a home test on a PC for future use of the test. Alternatively, the patients could download the test as an app for use with an iPad or smartphone. 3 months after the study day patients were asked whether they agreed to be interviewed about the frequency of using a home test and whether they were willing to answer the questionnaire NEI-VFQ-25 once more.
45
Total45

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicInitial Population
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
33 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
12 Participants
BCVA0.6 Snellen decimal
STANDARD_DEVIATION 0.25
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected— Participants
Region of Enrollment
Germany
45 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
18 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
27 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 45
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 45
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 45

Outcome results

Primary

Score of System Usability Scale (SUS) Questionnaire

Patients filled out the SUS questionnaire immediately after completing the MacuFix test. SUS consists of ten statements each with five possible answers ranging from complete rejection to complete agreement. For each statement, the participant gives his or her approval or rejection in the form of a scale ranging from 1=strong approval to 5=strong rejection. The results of the SUS questionnaire are used to calculate a numerical value (SUS score).The results can have a value between 0 (worst application imaginable) and 100 (best application imaginable)

Time frame: 1 day

Population: 45 patients

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Initial PopulationScore of System Usability Scale (SUS) Questionnaire76.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.5
Secondary

Change of Vision-related Quality of Life (NEI VFQ-25, Subscale 7) After Use of the App MacuFix Versus Amsler Grid/no Test

The validated questionnaire National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) was used to measure vision-related quality of life. The values in the questionnaire can take values from 0 to 100. High values in this questionnaire correspond to a better quality of life, low values to a poor quality of life. The 25 questions of this questionnaire can be assigned to 12 scales.

Time frame: The validated questionnaire National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI VFQ-25) was used at baseline and after 3 months.

Population: Of 45 patients included in the study, 29 subjects completed the questionnaire-25 NEI VFQ-25 before the study day and after 3 months of app use (app user group: 20 subjects) or 3 months of non-use (comparison group group: 8 performed the Amsler test, 1 did not use a self-test).

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
Initial PopulationChange of Vision-related Quality of Life (NEI VFQ-25, Subscale 7) After Use of the App MacuFix Versus Amsler Grid/no Test20.31 score on a scale
Amsler Grid or no Home TestChange of Vision-related Quality of Life (NEI VFQ-25, Subscale 7) After Use of the App MacuFix Versus Amsler Grid/no Test-3.47 score on a scale
Secondary

Median Time Interval (in Days) Between Two Self-test Measurements (MakuFix or Amsler Respectively) to Assess the Test Adherence

After a positive vote by the Ethics Committee of the North Rhine Medical Association (No. 2020057) 45 patients were included in the study from 4th May, 2020 - 30th June, 2020. Based on the amendment approval of the competent ethics committee (No. 600213225) participating persons were offered to use the App MacuFix® as a home test and to start a prospective, controlled study to examine the adherence using a self-test and evaluate the vison-related quality of life. On the study day and 3 months later each patient was asked about the frequency of use of the Amsler test. The time interval given by the patient between two Amsler Tests (Amsler group) or two MacuFix texts (MacuFix group) was assessed in days.

Time frame: On the study day and 3 months after the study day, patients were asked how many days usually elapsed after a test with the method they chose until the next time they used this test method.

Population: difference in frequency of using the Amsler Grid or the app MacuFix® measured as the time interval (days) between two measurements to assess test adherence

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
Initial PopulationMedian Time Interval (in Days) Between Two Self-test Measurements (MakuFix or Amsler Respectively) to Assess the Test Adherence13 days

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026