Effect of Action Video Games and Stroboscopic Glasses on Dynamic Visual Acuity.

Effect of Training Using Action Video Games and Stroboscopic Glasses on Dynamic Visual Acuity.

The study aims to observe the possible improvement of performance in dynamic visual acuity (DVA), in terms of speed and trajectory, comparing training using action video games and strobe glasses. The results will allow us to understand which visual training is more beneficial for improving dynamic visual acuity in athletes.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Visual Acuity
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Action Video Game; Device: Stroboscopic Glasses

Detailed Description

During the last years there have been several investigations related to the effect of action video games (VA) on the visual system, specifically perceptual and cognitive processes. These investigations indicate that playing VA can be a powerful tool for improving visuo-spatial attention, visuo-motor control, and reaction time. On the other hand, certain studies indicate that the use of stroboscopic glasses can help improve sports performance, and especially dynamic visual acuity , as well as various visual performance skills. The study aims to observe the possible improvement of performance in dynamic visual acuity (DVA), in terms of speed and trajectory, comparing training using action video games and strobe glasses. The results will allow us to understand which visual training is more beneficial for improving dynamic visual acuity in athletes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 30
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Spain
  • Barcelona
    • Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain, 08222
      • Carrer del Violinista Vellsola, 37, 08222 Terrassa, Barcelona

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• No strabismus and/or amblyopia.
• Not presenting accommodative difficulties or difficulties in ocular convergence.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of amblyopia and strabismus, accommodative insufficiency, convergence insufficiency
• Be federated in any sport in which they train more than 3 hours a week in the past and previous year (1 year ago) from the day of the experimental measurements.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Action Video game Group; A one-hour training session will be held, divided into 2 30-minute sessions over 2 days. Each session will take into account an increase in the difficulty of the task gradually based on the nature of the video game. The video game selected will be ContraIII: Alien Wars, from the Nintendo Mini Classic console.	Device: Action Video Game; A one-hour training session will be held, divided into 2 30-minute sessions over 2 days. Each session will take into account an increase in the difficulty of the task gradually based on the nature of the video game. The video game selected will be ContraIII: Alien Wars, from the Nintendo Mini Classic console.
Experimental: Stroboscopic Glasses Group; A one-hour training session will be held, divided into 2 30-minute sessions over 2 days. Each session will take into account a gradual increase in the difficulty of the task, divided into three visuomotor and anticipation components (ball size, type of trajectory and distance from the stimulus). The training sessions will consist of 2 series, and will be based on passing a ball between two people. Every 60 passes the flicker level of the glasses will increase, starting with level 1 (6hz) and ending at level 6 (1.75hz).	Device: Stroboscopic Glasses; A one-hour training session will be held, divided into 2 30-minute sessions over 2 days. Each session will take into account a gradual increase in the difficulty of the task, divided into three visuomotor and anticipation components (ball size, type of trajectory and distance from the stimulus). The training sessions will consist of 2 series, and will be based on passing a ball between two people. Every 60 passes the flicker level of the glasses will increase, starting with level 1 (6hz) and ending at level 6 (1.75hz)
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in the control group will watch 1 video clip/series/film of 1 hour duration on a television located at least 1.5 meters away.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 100%	Before the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 100%	Immediately after the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 100%	1 month
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 10%	Before the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 10%	Immediately after the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 1.0 m/s and contrast 10%	1 month
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 100%	Before the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 100%	Immediately after the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 100%	1 month
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 10%	Before the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 10%	Immediately after the intervention
Dynamic Visual Acuity	Dynamic Visual Acuity 0,5 m/s and contrast 10%	1 month

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Posner task	Change of attention	Before the intervention
Posner task	Change of attention	Immediately after the intervention
Posner task	Change of attention	1 month
Go - No - Go task	Selective attention and response control	Before the intervention
Go - No - Go task	Selective attention and response control	Immediately after the intervention
Go - No - Go task	Selective attention and response control	1 month
Multiple object tracking (MOT)	Simultaneously monitor multiple moving objects.	Before the intervention
Multiple object tracking (MOT)	Simultaneously monitor multiple moving objects.	Immediately after the intervention
Multiple object tracking (MOT)	Simultaneously monitor multiple moving objects.	1 month

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Green CS, Bavelier D. Learning, attentional control, and action video games. Curr Biol. 2012 Mar 20;22(6):R197-206. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.012.
• Green CS, Bavelier D. Action video game modifies visual selective attention. Nature. 2003 May 29;423(6939):534-7. doi: 10.1038/nature01647.
• Feng J, Spence I. Playing action video games boosts visual attention. In: Video game influences on aggression, cognition, and attention. Springer; 2018. p. 93-104
• Green CS, Bavelier D. Action video game training for cognitive enhancement. Curr Opin Behav Sci. 2015;4:103-8.
• Green CS, Li R, Bavelier D. Perceptual learning during action video game playing. Top Cogn Sci. 2010 Apr;2(2):202-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1756-8765.2009.01054.x. Epub 2009 Oct 30.
• Li L, Chen R, Chen J. Playing Action Video Games Improves Visuomotor Control. Psychol Sci. 2016 Aug;27(8):1092-108. doi: 10.1177/0956797616650300. Epub 2016 Jul 8.
• Dye MW, Green CS, Bavelier D. Increasing Speed of Processing With Action Video Games. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2009;18(6):321-326. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01660.x.
• Wilkins L, Appelbaum LG. An early review of stroboscopic visual training: insights, challenges and accomplishments to guide future studies. Int Rev Sport Exerc Psychol. 2020;13(1):65-80.
• Clark JF, Ellis JK, Bench J, Khoury J, Graman P. High-performance vision training improves batting statistics for University of Cincinnati baseball players. PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29109. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029109. Epub 2012 Jan 19.
• Wilkins L, Nelson C, Tweddle S. Stroboscopic visual training: A pilot study with three elite youth football goalkeepers. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement. 2018;2:3-11.
• Holliday J. Effect of stroboscopic vision training on dynamic visual acuity scores: Nike Vapor Strobe® Eyewear. 2013
• Wilkins L, Gray R. EFFECTS OF STROBOSCOPIC VISUAL TRAINING ON VISUAL ATTENTION, MOTION PERCEPTION, AND CATCHING PERFORMANCE. Percept Mot Skills. 2015 Aug;121(1):57-79. doi: 10.2466/22.25.PMS.121c11x0. Epub 2015 Jun 30.
• Green CS, Bavelier D. Action-video-game experience alters the spatial resolution of vision. Psychol Sci. 2007 Jan;18(1):88-94. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01853.x.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 5, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 26, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): November 26, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 5, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 13, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): July 24, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 17, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 12, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Dynamic visual acuity; Action video games; Stroboscopic glasses
• Other Study ID Numbers: VAD1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No