Development of color learning protocol based on music-color association for people with visual impairment

Abstract

Background: This research developed and confirmed the feasibility of a color-learning mobile application for people with visual impairment based on the hypothesis that the music-color association may be synaesthetically induced through emotion. Methods: In total, 120 participants with visual impairment, comprising 60 congenital and 60 adventitious cases, were recruited. They underwent sequential procedures: Procedure 1 involved selecting color-music associations and designing tasks; Procedure 2 focused on application development with accessibility features; and Procedure 3 verified usability and effectiveness. Results: Significant improvements were observed in hue, luminance, and saturation scores following the use of the music-color association application among participants with both congenital and adventitious visual impairment. The effectiveness of the application in facilitating color learning is evident, suggesting its potential utility in enhancing color perception in this population. Conclusions: This research introduces a novel framework for color learning among visually impaired individuals using a music-based synesthetic approach. The developed mobile application offers a promising avenue for efficiently improving color perception and learning, thereby addressing the critical need for accessibility and education for this population. Further research should explore the long-term effects and broader applications of synesthetic-induced learning in diverse contexts.