Computer Vision System for the Blind Veteran

Phase 1

Completed

• Conditions: Blindness

• Registration Number: NCT00920231
• Lead Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

Brief Summary

This is a feasibility study involving a small number of blind subject to evaluate the effectiveness of using a software and associated hardware components to assist the blind in identifying and locating objects of interests and to assist in way finding tasks. After the system has been successfully tested by the blindfolded engineers, it will be evaluated in a small number of blind subjects.

Detailed Description

This is primarily an engineering project to develop computer vision algorithms for an integrated system comprising of a laptop computer, webcam, gps, digital compass, microphone, and stereo earphones. The system will be voice controlled. The algorithm will be trained to identify and located objects and navigationally landmarks in real-time, previously selected by sighted developers. After the system has passed objective engineering milestones, blind subjects will be tested to determine whether the novel system will improve the ability of the blind to travel over a test course in a hospital setting.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2009-06-11
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-06-12
• Study First Posted: 2009-06-15
• Study Start: 2011-11
• Primary Completion: 2013-12
• Results First Submitted: 2015-01-14
• Results First Submitted QC: 2015-03-31
• Results First Posted: 2015-04-02
• Study Completion: 2015-09
• Status Verified: 2015-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-12-18
• Last Update Posted: 2016-01-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

• age 18 and over
• legally blind

Exclusion Criteria

• decreased hearing
• unable to understand or follow instructions
• inability to walk and stand for 10 minutes

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Frequency of Device Failures Per Attempt to Complete a Navigation Course	The subject is given as much time as needed to complete the task	device failures were defined as any failure to provide correct location and direction information at thre appropriate time, resulting in a mistake that needed the initial prototype's ability to meet their travel needs at a good to excellent range.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Ability to Meet the Subjective Travel Needs of the Blind Subject	no time limit	This is a subjective rating that incorporates user friendliness of the system and the specific needs of the subject. The subject is asked to rate whether the device meets his or her travel needs on a 1 to 7 scale with 1 being excellent and 7 being very poor.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Atlanta VA Medical and Rehab Center, Decatur; 🇺🇸 Decatur, Georgia, United States

Baltimore VA Medical Center VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD; 🇺🇸 Baltimore, Maryland, United States