Visual training in Parkinson's - Version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Technological visual training in Parkinson's disease: A pilot randomised cross-over trial.
IRAS ID
287526
Contact name
Sam Stuart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
RDFC19/HLS/SER/STUART, Northumbria University (Funder)
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 28 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s is a common disorder that affects the brain. It can cause movement and non-movement symptoms. Impairments of the eyes and visual system are a common non-movement symptom that affect some people with Parkinson’s (PwP). Visual disturbances can interfere with reading and driving, impact on walking and balance, and even contribute to hallucinations.
Research has shown that PwP rely heavily on their vision for day to day activities. Visual disorders combined with balance problems can increase the risk of falls. This in turn can lead to decreased physical activity and reduced quality of life for PwP.
Although up to 80% of PwP experience some form of visual disturbance, very little research has been done around the assessment and treatment of visual disorders in Parkinson’s. However, there is now evidence that visual training technologies used with sportsmen and women may be of benefit in treating PwP.
Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) is a form of training technology that is designed to improve the links between an individual’s eyes, brain, and body. Individuals wear specialised glasses with lenses that flicker between clear and opaque. Mobile Training refers to training programs (applications) that are accessed via a mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. Studies in athletes have shown that SVT combined with mobile training applications can improve skills such as reaction times and hand-eye co-ordination.
We would like to find out how PwP feel about using these visual training devices (strobe glasses and mobile app) and what effect this training has on their visual function. We will use traditional visual training methods and novel, state-of-the-art technology to assess and treat the visual system. We suggest that if visual training can improve aspects of eye function in PwP, it may also have the potential to impact on balance and walking. This will be the first study of its kind to investigate the effects of visual training technology in a Parkinson’s population.
Understanding the effects of visual training in PwP will help clinicians improve their interventions and address a symptom of Parkinson’s that has historically received very little attention both from researchers and within clinical practice.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0042
Date of REC Opinion
22 Feb 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion