A Pilot Study Comparing Performance of Blind Participants on 12 Tasks, With and Without the ARIA Device

Launched by ARIA RESEARCH PTY LTD · Jun 26, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how well the ARIA Device helps people who are blind or have low vision complete various tasks in different environments, like at home or outside. The goal is to see if the ARIA Device can improve their ability to navigate and perform everyday activities compared to their usual methods. The study will include 12 different tasks to understand how safe and effective the device is, and it will gather feedback from participants about their experiences using it.

To participate, individuals must be over 18 years old, have no usable vision, and be able to walk and stand for at least 30 minutes. They should also be comfortable using smartphones and willing to attend four research sessions in Sydney. Participants can expect to help researchers understand the practical benefits of the ARIA Device while sharing their thoughts and experiences. This study is important because it aims to improve assistive technology for those who face challenges in navigating a world designed primarily for sighted individuals.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals over the age of 18
• • Working English proficiency
• • No light perception, or light perception only (VROOM score \<10/50).
• • Ambulant, with sufficient stamina to stand/walk for at least 30 minutes between breaks during a 3-4 hour research session.
• • Independent long cane traveller.
• • Sufficient hearing for conversation, with no hearing aids and no worse than mild to moderate hearing loss.
• • Smartphone skills and familiarity with at least one app/device useful for wayfinding.
• • Able to attend 4 research sessions in person at the investigation site in Haymarket, Sydney.
• • Able to comply with all investigational requirements.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Under 18 years, or adults unable to give informed consent (e.g., under guardianship).
• • Vision greater than light perception only (VROOM \>10/50).
• • Physical limitations that compromise stamina needed to complete a four-hour research session.
• • Hearing aids; severe-profound hearing loss determined as insufficient hearing for unaided conversation
• • No smartphone skills or prior use of assistive technology.
• • Unwilling to be videoed during research tasks.
• • Unlikely to attend all follow-up study visits.