Falls are common among people with vision impairment and can lead to devastating health consequences. Understanding the functions of vision and how the visual characteristics of obstacles in the walking path impact the gait of people with vision impairment is necessary to create strategies to prevent falls in this population. The purpose of this study is to determine how adults with vision impairment change their gait behavior when stepping over obstacles that vary in height and contrast to the ground. We will then determine the mechanisms of gaze behavior that correlate to the gait behavior.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
200
In the walking trials, when an obstacle is present, the obstacle height and obstacle contrast level will be varied across the trial repetitions. Each participant will be exposed to obstacles of two heights: the first will be 1 centimeter in height, and the second will be approximately 20% of the subject's leg length (ranging in physical height between 15 - 22 centimeters to cover a range of leg lengths in the population). Obstacles (of both heights) will also be painted such that their measured luminance (or contrast) level against the floor luminance is varied. High contrast obstacles will have ≥80% Michelson contrast and low contrast obstacles will have ≤30% Michelson contrast.
Indiana University
Bloomington, Indiana, United States
RECRUITINGVertical foot clearance, lead limb
Distance from lowest point of foot (heel or toe) to top of obstacle
Time frame: During a single intervention visit (Study Visit 2), up to 2-3 hours in duration.
Foot placement variability
Standard deviation of position of toe to obstacle over 2-4 steps before the obstacle
Time frame: During a single intervention visit (Study Visit 2), up to 2-3 hours in duration.
Obstacle crossing speed
Speed from lead toe off immediately before the obstacle to trail heel down immediately after the obstacle.
Time frame: During a single intervention visit (Study Visit 2), up to 2-3 hours in duration.
Gaze sequencing
Sequence of fixations from start of trial to end of trial, normalized to the total duration and divided into 100 equal segments
Time frame: During a single intervention visit (Study Visit 2), up to 2-3 hours in duration.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.