Training improves visual processing speed and generalizes to untrained functions

Maria Lev, Karin Ludwig, Sharon Gilaie-Dotan, Stephanie Voss, Philipp Sterzer, Guido Hesselmann, Uri Polat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Studies show that manipulating certain training features in perceptual learning determines the specificity of the improvement. The improvement in abnormal visual processing following training and its generalization to visual acuity, as measured on static clinical charts, can be explained by improved sensitivity or processing speed. Crowding, the inability to recognize objects in a clutter, fundamentally limits conscious visual perception. Although it was largely considered absent in the fovea, earlier studies report foveal crowding upon very brief exposures or following spatial manipulations. Here we used GlassesOff's application for iDevices to train foveal vision of young participants. The training was performed at reading distance based on contrast detection tasks under different spatial and temporal constraints using Gabor patches aimed at testing improvement of processing speed. We found several significant improvements in spatio-temporal visual functions including near and also non-trained far distances. A remarkable transfer to visual acuity measured under crowded conditions resulted in reduced processing time of 81 €.ms, in order to achieve 6/6 acuity. Despite a subtle change in contrast sensitivity, a robust increase in processing speed was found. Thus, enhanced processing speed may lead to overcoming foveal crowding and might be the enabling factor for generalization to other visual functions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number7251
JournalScientific Reports
Volume4
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Nov 2014
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by grants for U.P. from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF188/ 2010) and GlassesOff, Inc. M.L. and K.L. each received a Short-Term Research Grant by the Minerva Foundation of the Max Planck Society in support of this project. G.H., K.L., and P.S. were supported by the German Research Foundation (grants HE 6244/1-1 and STE 1430/2-1).

Funding

This study was supported by grants for U.P. from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF188/ 2010) and GlassesOff, Inc. M.L. and K.L. each received a Short-Term Research Grant by the Minerva Foundation of the Max Planck Society in support of this project. G.H., K.L., and P.S. were supported by the German Research Foundation (grants HE 6244/1-1 and STE 1430/2-1).

FundersFunder number
Glassesoff, Inc.
Minerva Foundation of the Max Planck Society
Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftHE 6244/1-1, STE 1430/2-1
Israel Science FoundationISF188/ 2010

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