ERIC Number: EJ885733
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-May
Pages: 9
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0145-482X
EISSN: N/A
A Computer Program for Training Eccentric Reading in Persons with Central Scotoma
Kasten, Erich; Haschke, Peggy; Meinhold, Ulrike; Oertel-Verweyen, Petra
Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, v104 n5 p303-311 May 2010
This article explores the effectiveness of a computer program--Xcentric viewing--for training eccentric reading in persons with central scotoma. The authors conducted a small study to investigate whether this program increases the reading capacities of individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Instead of a control group, they compared the data with the results of Schreckenbach's (2006) study, which used the same scientific design of eccentric reading training (EVT) with 21 persons without using a computer. The computer-based training program, Xcentric viewing, was programmed by the first author. It contains the following parts: (1) search of a prime position; (2) training; (3) home exercises; and (4) a move-the-text technique. The results show that the computer-based home training program was helpful in increasing the participants' average reading speed by about 34%. In the study, only reading speed was slightly better (35.1%) than in Schreckenbach's study (24.6%). The advantage of the computer program is that home training requires little time from the therapists. The participants in the study judged the program to be helpful and user-friendly and recommended its use with other people with AMD. (Contains 5 figures and 1 table.)
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Assistive Technology, Educational Technology, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Software, Reading Rate, Aging (Individuals), Visual Perception, Visual Impairments, Reading Skills, Light, Visual Stimuli, Outcomes of Treatment
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A