Socially Assistive Robots to Enhance Magnification Device Use for Reading

Phase 1

Recruiting

• Conditions: Low Vision
• Interventions: Behavioral: Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation

• Registration Number: NCT04190134
• Lead Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Brief Summary

The aims of this exploratory research project are to customize, deploy and evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a socially assistive robot as a novel approach to motivate and encourage optimal, long-term use of new magnification devices for reading in individuals with vision loss. The goals are to promote patient acceptance, adherence and skills reinforcement to achieve proficiency in the use of the magnifier, in order to attempt to reduce visual disability while performing important daily activities, such as reading tasks. This is a high priority given the increasing prevalence of low vision, paucity of low vision rehabilitation providers, and barriers related to access to care, such as transportation and geography, all of which motivate the development of this complementary approach for the provision of additional support at home by the socially assistive robot.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2019-12-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2019-12-05
• Study First Posted: 2019-12-09
• Study Start: 2022-04-22
• Status Verified: 2024-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-07-17
• Last Update Posted: 2024-07-19
• Primary Completion: 2025-02
• Study Completion: 2025-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

Inclusion Criteria

• Individuals with any level of vision loss due to any ocular disease,
• age 18 and older,
• received a magnification device(s) (i.e., hand-held optical magnifiers, portable electronic video magnifiers, some stand magnifiers and CCTVs) from the UCLA Vision Rehabilitation Center.

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Exclusion Criteria

• schedules not permitting participation in planned study sessions or visits (including planning to move or take extended vacation during study period),
• inability to understand study procedures or communicate responses to visual stimuli in a consistent manner (cognitive impairment as per TICS),
• substance abuse,
• significant hearing loss (unable to hear communication by phone or from robot),
• significant medical condition likely to limit participation or lifespan,
• their magnifier device has features that would not work in conjunction with the beacon sensors: (1) hands-free and do not have a place where the patient's hand is holding the device during use (therefore, they would not register a significant change in temperature), and/or (2) no surface area of at least 1"x1" to which the beacon sensor could be attached without interfering with the device.

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Delayed/Waitlist Robot	Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation	Three months after study entry, participants will receive the robot at home for three months.
Immediate Robot	Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation	One month after study entry, participants will receive the robot at home for two months, followed by a three month observation period without the robot.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Activity Inventory	change from 1 month post-enrollment to 2-3 months after receiving the socially assistive robot	questionnaire; scores will be Rasch analyzed in logic units with higher or positive scores indicating less difficulty (i.e., improvement)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Duke Social Support Index	baseline and monthly for 6 months	questionnaire; scale ranges from 10 to 30 with higher values indicating greater social support
Perceived Stress Scale	baseline and monthly for 6 months	questionnaire; scale ranges from 0 to 56 with higher values indicating greater perceived stress
Sustained Silent Reading Test	baseline and monthly for 6 months	reading test
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)	baseline and monthly for 6 months	questionnaire; scale ranges from 0 to 15 with higher values indicating greater depression
3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale	baseline and monthly for 6 months	questionnaire; scale ranges from 3 to 9 with higher values indicating greater loneliness
MNread	For Immediate robot: baseline, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months. For Delayed/Waitlist robot: baseline, 3 months, 6 months.	reading test
PANAS	baseline and monthly for 6 months	questionnaire; scale ranges from 10 to 50 with higher values indicating greater positive moods
Almere	1 month post-enrollment and 2-3 months after receiving the socially assistive robot	questionnaire; scale ranges from 41 to 205 with higher values indicating greater acceptance of robots

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UCLA Stein Eye Institute; 🇺🇸 Los Angeles, California, United States