Socially Assistive Robots to Enhance Magnification Device Use for Reading

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Development of a Behavioral Intervention With Socially Assistive Robots to Enhance Magnification Device Use for Reading

Conditions
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Low Vision

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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. 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 1x1 to which the beacon sensor could be attached without interfering with the device.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Immediate Robot<br>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. | Behavioral: Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation<br>* A socially assistive robot will be customized to engage in dialog and conversations to motivate and encourage optimal use of new magnification devices for reading at home by individuals with vision loss.<br>|
| Active Comparator: Delayed/Waitlist Robot<br>Three months after study entry, participants will receive the robot at home for three months. | Behavioral: Socially Assistive Robot for Low Vision Rehabilitation<br>* A socially assistive robot will be customized to engage in dialog and conversations to motivate and encourage optimal use of new magnification devices for reading at home by individuals with vision loss.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

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

Secondary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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robot