Can Stroboscopic Training Improve Judgments of Time-to-Collision?

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether training with stroboscopic viewing could improve time-to-collision (TTC) judgments, which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. Background: Prior research demonstrated that training with stroboscopic vision can improve motion coherence thresholds, improve anticipatory timing performance for laterally moving objects, and can protect against performance degradation over time. Method: Participants viewed computer simulations of an object that moved and then disappeared. In two separate experiments, the object approached the observer or moved laterally toward a target, representing different optical flow patterns. Participants judged TTC by pressing a button when they thought the object would hit them (approach), or the target (lateral). Performance was measured during four sessions—pretest, intervention, immediately after intervention, and 10 min after intervention. Results: Both stroboscopic training and repeated practice improved performance over time for approach motion (decrease in constant error) and stroboscopic training protected against performance degradation for lateral motion (no decrement in variable error), but only when TTC was 3.0 s. There was no difference between training and repeated practice. Conclusion: Under certain conditions, stroboscopic training may improve TTC judgments. However, effects of stroboscopic training depend on the nature of the optical flow pattern. Application: It is important to determine the conditions under which training can improve TTC judgments which have importance in real-world tasks such as driving. If individuals can be trained to judge TTC more accurately, they may benefit from driver training programs.

Intermittent Vision and Goal-Directed Movement: A Review

“…A similar lack of perceptual learning when training with PLATO visual occlusion goggles has recently been reported by Braly and DeLucia (2020). Using computer-generated time-to-contact stimuli, it was found that both stroboscopic training and repeated practice in normal vision led to a reduction in performance (increase in constant error) for approach motion and lateral motion.…”

The influence of time structure on prediction motion in visual and auditory modalities

“…Nevertheless, CE was often used to reflect a tendency in the participants' judgment. For example, positive CE values indicated TTC underestimation, while negative CE values indicated overestimations of TTC (Braly & DeLucia, 2020). The VE represents the CE variance over the repetitions of the same trial, which reflects consistency of TTC estimation.…”

Stroboscopic visual training: The potential for clinical application in neurological populations

“…All 15 studies included a control group. In an attempt to reduce bias, 4 of these studies had control participants wearing stroboscopic eyewear with the lenses in a permanently transparent (nonstrobing) state [ 9 , 15 , 46 ] and 1 study used lens-free glasses [ 42 ]. Wilkins and Gray applied a constant fast strobe setting to their control group participants in an attempt to combat the potential for differing motivation and effort levels compared to the variable SVT group [ 48 ].…”

“…The most common devices to feature in the studies were the Nike Vapor Strobe (Nike, Beaverton, OR) ( n = 7) [ 9 , 15 , 18 , 43 , 44 , 49 ] and the newer version of the eyewear, the Senaptec Strobes ( n = 4) [ 40 , 41 , 47 , 50 , 51 ]. Other devices included the Visionup Strobe glasses ( n = 1) [ 42 ], Plato goggles ( n = 2) [ 46 , 48 ], and MJ Impulse ( n = 1) [ 16 ].…”