Clinical Research Studies

Are you eligible to participate in this study?

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

• Conditions:
  Visual Impairment
• Age: Between 12 Year(s) - 85 Year(s)
• Gender: Male or Female

• Other Inclusion Criteria:
  

  ‘Long-term training’ study arm

  1. Subjects between the ages of 18-85 years old
  2. Subjects who are blind due to ocular impairment
  3. Subjects who are able to undergo functional neuroimaging tests.
  4. Subjects who are able to undergo neuromodulation tests.
  5. Subjects who are able to walk and stand independently.
  6. Subjects who are able to understand and remember the training protocols involved in the research study.
  7. Subjects willing and able to use the provided sensory substitution system to solve simple visual tasks.
  8. Subjects willing and able to complete simple tactile or auditory tasks.
  9. Subjects who are able to communicate by telephone and/or computer with research staff.

  ‘Short-term training’ study arm

  1. Subjects between the ages of 12-85 years old (or if neuromodulation is involved, 18-85).
  2. Subjects who are either blind in both eyes , cortically blind, or normal/corrected-to-normal vision
  3. For cortically blind individuals (e.g. with TBI or cerebral ischemia), documentation of extent of brain damage by medical professional is required.
  4. Subjects who are able to undergo functional neuroimaging tests.
  5. (If neuromodulation is involved) able to undergo neuromodulation tests.
  6. Subjects who are able to walk and stand independently.
  7. Subjects who are able to understand and remember the training protocols involved in the research study.
  8. Subjects willing and able to use the provided sensory substitution system to solve simple visual tasks.
  9. Subjects willing and able to complete simple tactile or auditory tasks.
  10. Subjects who are able to communicate by telephone and/or computer with research staff.

  ‘Behavioral’ study arm

  1. Subjects between the ages of 12-85 years old (or if neuromodulation is involved, 18-85).
  2. Subjects who are either normal/corrected-to-normal vision; low vision, blind in both eyes or in the brain such as in traumatic brain injury (TBI) / cerebral ischemia
  3. (If neuromodulation is involved) able to undergo neuromodulation tests.
  4. For cortically blind individuals (e.g. with TBI or cerebral ischemia), documentation of extent of brain damage by medical professional is required.
  5. Subjects who are able to understand and remember the training protocols involved in the research study.
  6. Subjects willing and able to use the provided sensory substitution system to solve simple visual tasks.
  7. Subjects willing and able to complete simple tactile or auditory tasks.
  8. Subjects who are able to communicate by telephone and/or computer with research staff.

  
  

You may not be eligible for this study if the following are true:

• ‘Long-term training’ study arm

  1. Subjects who had prior experience with the sensory substitution device under investigation
  2. Subjects who had presence of any foreign metal in the body, except for dental fillings
  3. Pregnant or breastfeeding by self-report
  4. Subjects who is a prisoner or has any required movements legally restricted.
  5. Subjects who are unwilling or unable to adhere to all study requirements, including completion of the training period and any evaluation tests.
  6. Subjects with implanted electrical medical devices such as pacemakers.
  7. Subjects with Claustrophobia that would prevent functional neuroimaging
  8. Subjects with Obesity preventing placement in MRI scanner.
  9. No known neurological disorders or any medical condition that can possibly lead to emergency medical care
  10. Documented or suspected brain damage resulting in significant cognitive or sensory impairment

  ‘Short-term training’ study arm

  1. Subjects who had prior experience with the sensory substitution device under investigation
  2. Subjects who had presence of any foreign metal in the body, except for dental fillings
  3. Pregnant or breastfeeding by self-report
  4. Subjects who is a prisoner or has any required movements legally restricted.
  5. Subjects who are unwilling or unable to adhere to all study requirements, including completion of the training period and any evaluation tests.
  6. Subjects with implanted electrical medical devices such as pacemakers.
  7. Subjects with Claustrophobia that would prevent functional neuroimaging
  8. Subjects with Obesity preventing placement in MRI scanner.
  9. No known neurological disorders or any medical condition that can possibly lead to emergency medical care

  ‘Behavioral’ study arm

  1. Subjects who had prior experience with the sensory substitution device under investigation
  2. (if neuromodulation is involved) Subjects who had presence of any foreign metal in the body, except for dental fillings
  3. Subjects who is a prisoner or has any required movements legally restricted.
  4. Subjects who are unwilling or unable to adhere to all study requirements, including completion of the training period and any evaluation tests.
  5. (if neuromodulation is involved) Subjects with implanted electrical medical devices such as pacemakers.
  6. No known neurological disorders or any medical condition that can possibly lead to emergency medical care