Exploring Perceptual Learning in Blurred Gabor Discrimination for Low-Myopic Children

NCT ID: NCT07107646

Last Updated: 2025-11-18

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2027-07-31

Brief Summary

This exploratory study investigates whether perceptual learning using blurred Gabor stimuli can improve uncorrected distance visual acuity in children aged 6-10 years with low myopia. Participants will be randomly assigned to a training group or control group. The training group will undergo individualized visual perceptual learning through a digital Vision Training System (VTS) for approximately 3 months. The study will also evaluate changes in refraction, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading acuity with eye movements, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEPs).

Detailed Description

Perceptual learning (PL) is a non-invasive approach that enhances visual function through repeated visual tasks. Prior studies have demonstrated its potential in treating amblyopia and age-related visual decline. However, its application in children with low myopia remains underexplored.

This study has two main objectives:

To examine the effect of perceptual learning using blurred Gabor stimuli on uncorrected distance visual acuity in children with low myopia.

To investigate whether such training also improves refraction, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, reading vision with eye movement patterns, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEPs).

Thirty children aged 6-10 years with spherical equivalent refractive errors between -0.50 and -1.25 diopters (including ≤ -0.75 diopters of astigmatism) will be enrolled. Participants will be randomized into a training group or control group. The training group will undergo approximately 20 sessions of individualized visual perceptual learning using the Vision Training System (VTS), developed in collaboration with Bar Ilan University.

Outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention, and at follow-up points up to 12 months. Measures include visual acuity, refractive status, contrast sensitivity (CSV-1000E), crowding acuity (FrACT), Chinese reading visual acuity (with Tobii eye tracking), and sVEPs.

Conditions

Myopia; Visual Rehabilitation; Perceptual Learning

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Visual Perceptual Learning Group

Children aged 6-10 years with low myopia will receive a structured visual perceptual learning (VPL) intervention using computerized blurred Gabor discrimination tasks. Training will be conducted at least twice per week, with each session lasting approximately 15-30 minutes, for up to 3 months. Training parameters will be remotely monitored and adjusted based on individual progress. Participants will undergo baseline, post-training, and follow-up assessments of uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading visual acuity, eye movement performance, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEP).

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

vision training system, VTS

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this group will receive individualized visual perceptual learning using the Vision Training System (VTS). The training involves blurred Gabor stimuli presented via a computer-based application. Each participant will complete approximately 20 training sessions over 3 months, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes, conducted twice per week. The program is designed to enhance uncorrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions by engaging neural mechanisms related to perceptual learning. Training progression is adaptive based on individual performance. The VTS software was developed in collaboration with Bar Ilan University.

Control Group

Children aged 6-10 years with low myopia who meet the same inclusion and exclusion criteria will not receive the VPL training during the study period. They will undergo the same schedule of baseline, post-study, and follow-up assessments as the experimental group, including evaluations of uncorrected visual acuity, refractive error, contrast sensitivity, visual crowding, Chinese reading visual acuity, eye movement performance, and sweep visual evoked potentials (sVEP).

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

vision training system, VTS

Participants in this group will receive individualized visual perceptual learning using the Vision Training System (VTS). The training involves blurred Gabor stimuli presented via a computer-based application. Each participant will complete approximately 20 training sessions over 3 months, with each session lasting 15 to 30 minutes, conducted twice per week. The program is designed to enhance uncorrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other visual functions by engaging neural mechanisms related to perceptual learning. Training progression is adaptive based on individual performance. The VTS software was developed in collaboration with Bar Ilan University.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Children aged between 6 to 10 years.

2. Best corrected distance visual acuity of 6/6 or 0.00 logMAR.

3. Diagnosed with low myopia after a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, with a spherical equivalent refractive error ranging from -0.50 to -1.25 diopters, including up to -0.75 diopters of astigmatism.

4. Not currently undergoing any of the four standard myopia control treatments for children:

1. Atropine (mydriatic agent)

2. Orthokeratology

3. Peripheral defocus soft contact lenses

4. Peripheral defocus spectacle lenses (frame glasses)

5. Willing and able to provide informed consent, and able to comply with study procedures and assessments.

Exclusion Criteria

Participants will be excluded if they have any of the following ophthalmologic conditions:

1. Strabismus

2. Binocular vision problems

3. Ocular diseases

4. History of ocular surgery (excluding refractive surgery)

• Minimum Eligible Age: 6 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 10 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Taiwan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University

Taipei, , Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Other Identifiers

202504046RIND

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id