Visual impairment in infancy is associated with significant risks for neurodevelopmental impairment. Early intervention based on enriched visual and multisensory experiences may promote neuroplasticity and improve developmental outcomes, but implementation of intensive interventions in routine clinical practice remains challenging. The VIPPSTAR-G1 study evaluates a caregiver-mediated digital intervention delivered through a dedicated platform designed to support visual and neurodevelopmental functions in infants at risk of or with visual impairment, within a framework that promotes and strengthens the parent-child/caregiver-child relationship.
This multicenter, multinational, single-blind randomized controlled trial will enroll 102 newborns at risk of visual impairment and an additional exploratory pilot subgroup of 48 infants and toddlers with established visual impairment. Participants will be randomized to receive either the VIPPSTAR digital intervention plus standard care or standard care alone. Outcomes include visual acuity, smooth pursuit, additional neuro-ophthalmological functions, neurodevelopmental measures, adaptive functioning, language development, parental stress, quality of life, and feasibility of the digital intervention.
Inclusion Criteria: Study Sample 1 - Infants at Risk of Visual Impairment
Gestational age ≤32 weeks OR full-term/newborns>32 weeks of age with neonatal distress (Apgar ≤5 at 10 minutes)
NAVEG score ≥3
At least one neurological or neuroimaging abnormality:
Exclusion Criteria: Study Sample 1 - Infants at Risk of Visual Impairment
Inclusion Criteria: Study Sample 2 - Infants/Toddlers With Visual Impairment
jessica.galli@unibs.it00390303995724
Outcome assessors and statisticians will remain blinded to treatment allocation. Caregivers and intervention providers cannot be blinded due to the nature of the intervention.
Participants receive a caregiver-mediated, home-based digital intervention delivered through the VIPPSTAR platform, parallel to standard clinical care, within a framework that promotes and strengthens the parent-child/caregiver-child relationship. The intervention includes personalized developmental activities, audiovisual materials, weekly online supervision, and continuous communication with clinicians. It includes participants enrolled in both the main RCT cohort and the exploratory pilot cohort.
Participants receive standard clinical monitoring and care according to local clinical practice without access to the VIPPSTAR intervention platform.
Leuven, 3000, Belgium
els.ortibus@uzleuven.be0032 16 34 39 91
Pavia, BS, Italy
serena.micheletti@unibs.it00390303995724
00390303995724
jessica.galli@unibs.it00390303995724
erika.loi@unibs.it
simona.orcesi@unipv.it0039 0382.380280
kbufteac@gmail.com+373 686 84279
Promoting Psychophysical Well-being in Children and Adolescents With Visual Impairment
Visual Stimulation of Preterm Infants
Early Visual Functions in Patients at Risk of Developing Cerebral Visual Impairment. A Pilot Study
Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Cerebral Visual Impairment
Cerebral/ Cortical Visual Impairment: Screening, Identification and Outcome Prediction in Neonates
Early Intervention in Preterm Infants: Short and Long Term Developmental Outcome After a Parental Training Program
Visual Perception in Preterm Infants
Premavision Cohort Follow-up