Obstacle Negotiation in Older People With and Without Vision Impairment

Launched by INDIANA UNIVERSITY · May 25, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

**Clinical Trial Summary: Obstacle Negotiation in Older People With and Without Vision Impairment**

This clinical trial is investigating how adults with vision impairment navigate obstacles when walking. Falls are a significant risk for people with vision issues, and understanding how they change their walking patterns in response to different obstacles can help develop strategies to prevent these falls. The study will look at how individuals with varying levels of vision handle obstacles of different heights and colors, as well as how they focus their gaze while stepping over these obstacles.

If you're an adult aged 18 or older, able to walk independently, and either have normal vision or some vision impairment, you may be eligible to participate. Participants will be asked to walk over various obstacles and will be monitored for their walking patterns and gaze behavior. However, some individuals may not qualify if they have specific health issues that affect their walking ability, cognitive challenges, or if they require walking aids. This study aims to improve safety and mobility for those with vision impairment, and your involvement could contribute to important findings in fall prevention.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18 or over
• • Able to walk independently
• • Either have normal vision, or impaired vision.
• • Impaired vision is defined as binocular visual acuity of 20/25 or worse with or without a central scotoma; and/or binocular visual field that is restricted to an average of 100 degrees in diameter or less
• • Control subjects will have visual acuity of 20/40 or better.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Not cleared by a medical provider for moderate physical activity
• • Self-report or have a history of: vestibular disorder or deafness
• • Medical history of any condition that affects the ability to walk for up to 2 hours with breaks, such as feeling dizzy or faint, chest pain, palpitations, pain or numbness in the legs, shortness of breath,
• • Cognitive limitations either by self-report or a score on the Mini Mental State Exam below 24 (out of 30)
• • Walking or gait abnormalities, such as those caused from an injury, surgery, severe arthritis, or neurological condition such as Parkinson's disease
• • Unable to walk without any walking aids such as a walker, cane, guide dog, or oxygen tank.
• • Does not speak English