Gamification Enhances User Engagement and Task Performance in Prosthetic Vision Testing

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Visual function testing for retinal prosthesis users involves demanding psychophysical tasks.
• Gamification's impact on prosthetic vision testing engagement and performance is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of gamification on visual perceptual performance and user experience in Argus II retinal prosthesis users.
• To determine if gamified tasks improve engagement and accuracy compared to traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• Three Argus II users performed circle localization and motion direction discrimination tasks in both clinical and gamified formats.
• Gamified versions included scoring, music, and feedback; difficulty was calibrated individually.
• Task parameters were matched across formats for each participant.

Main Results:

• Gamification improved localization accuracy and reduced angular error but did not enhance motion discrimination.
• Task-dependent effects were observed, with one user showing reduced precision in gamified motion discrimination.
• Participants preferred gamified localization, reporting higher enjoyment and sustained attention; responses to gamified motion were mixed.

Conclusions:

• Gamification can influence prosthetic vision testing outcomes and user experience, but benefits are task- and user-dependent.
• Engagement strategies in testing must consider task demands and cognitive load for optimal results.
• Adaptive, personalized gamified tools show promise for improving vision assessment and rehabilitation.