iVision

Game therapy for Cerebral Visual Impairment

Project description

I am a consultant on the iVision project by Prof Els Ortibus (University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium). The project aims to develop an serious game for children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI). Children with CVI have difficulties with seeing and interpreting the world around them. This is not because of an eye condition, but because their brain has been injured and is interpreting the information from the eyes differently than most of us do. 

In three mini games, children practise visual perceptual skills like visual search, navigation, and visual matching. Before starting the games, children must perform a range of neuropsychological assessments to determine their visual perceptual abilities. The levels of the game can then be adapted to best match the child’s abilities and maximise rehabilitation potential.

For this project, I provide topical advice on visual perceptual functions, neuropsychological assessments for visual perception, patient involvement, and game design. I also co-supervise and mentor PhD student Nofar Ben Ithzak.

Funder

Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)

Principal Investigator

Prof Els Ortibus – University Hospitals Leuven

Run time

2018-2021

Associated publications

Ben Itzhak, N., Vancleef, K., Franki, I., Laenen, A., Wagemans, J., & Ortibus, E. (2019). Visuoperceptual profiles of children with Cerebral Visual Impairment based on the Flemish CVI questionnaire. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Online first. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14448

Ben Itzhak, N., Vancleef, K., Franki, I., Laenen, A., Wagemans, J., Ortibus, E. (2021). Quantifying visuoperceptual profiles of children with cerebral visual impairment. Child Neuropsychology, 27(8), 995-1023. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2021.1915265