Data for Environmental Localization, Mapping, and Guidance for Visual Prosthesis Users (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04359108)

<i>Objective:</i> Visual impairments create significant challenges for navigation. This study evaluated how an autonomous navigation system influences navigation and obstacle avoidance for prosthetic vision users.<i>Approach:</i> We evaluated sighted participants (using simulated prosthetic vision) and an Argus II visual neuroprosthesis user on three tasks: navigation, obstacle avoidance, and relative distance judgment, using feedback modes incorporating visual, auditory, and haptic cues. Performance was assessed through collision rate, distance traveled, trial time, success rate at reaching the target destination, and judgement of relative distance.<i>Main results:</i> Depth-mode vision improved performance across all participants relative to Argus-mode vision, which had the lowest performance. For sighted participants, wider field of view and haptic + auditory feedback improved navigation and obstacle avoidance further, while adding visual feedback to haptic + auditory cues provided no additional benefit. The Argus user performed best with combined sensory feedback, especially for reducing collisions.<i>Significance: </i>This study highlights the potential of multimodal feedback systems to improve navigation for prosthetic vision users, providing insights to optimize assistive technologies and enhance user safety and independence. (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04359108)

目标：视觉障碍会给导航活动带来显著挑战。本研究评估了自主导航系统对假体视觉（prosthetic vision）使用者的导航与避障能力的影响。
方法：本研究针对两类受试者开展三项任务评估，受试者包括使用模拟假体视觉的视力正常人群，以及一名使用Argus II型视觉神经假体（visual neuroprosthesis）的使用者。三项任务分别为导航任务、避障任务与相对距离判断任务，所用反馈模式整合了视觉、听觉与触觉提示信号。性能评估指标涵盖碰撞率、行进距离、试验时长、目标抵达成功率，以及相对距离判断精度。
主要结果：相较于表现最差的Argus模式视觉，深度模式视觉可提升所有受试者的整体性能表现。对于视力正常受试者而言，更宽的视野范围，以及触觉+听觉的反馈模式，可进一步优化其导航与避障能力；而在触觉+听觉提示的基础上额外添加视觉反馈，则未带来额外性能增益。该Argus II使用者在采用多感官整合反馈时表现最佳，尤其在降低碰撞率方面效果显著。
研究意义：本研究凸显了多模态反馈系统在改善假体视觉使用者导航能力方面的应用潜力，可为优化辅助技术、提升使用者的安全性与生活独立性提供重要参考。（临床试验注册号：ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04359108）