Smart Vest
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Testing a vibration vest for enhancing visual function
IRAS ID
229062
Contact name
Andrew Lotery
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Many individuals with advanced glaucoma and retinal dystrophies have functional difficulty due to a loss of their peripheral vision. These individuals may have sufficient central vision to read and perform visual tasks in a controlled situation, but are often unable to function in a cluttered, unstructured or chaotic environment (i.e. a normal social situation). This is because they lack the ability to be visually alerted to an incentive or threat outside the narrowed region of their central vision. Currently, there are limited options to aid these patients, such as white canes or guide dogs with training.
Intel Corporation has developed a computer-based assistive device that may be useful for these individuals. We want to assess the value of this device. Intel has recently made the design details and software available via the internet. The device consists of a vest or shirt with an attached depth-sensing camera, a computer and vibration transducers (6 on the vest and one on each foot). The transducers vibrate to alert the wearer to objects that are approaching them, or if they are walking, alert them to objects that they may be approaching.
We propose to test subjects wearing the device via several predetermined functional tests to determine its usefulness. This will consist of patients with known reduced peripheral vision trialing the device through a simple maze scenario in both bright and dim lighting. Each patient will also answer a short questionnaire to determine the possible benefit and drawbacks of the device. The results will then be analysed to conclude whether an electronic device such as this could be useful to patients with reduced peripheral vision.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/YH/0004
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion