Abstract

Visual prostheses require users to interpret sparse and distorted artificial percepts through active visual search. We developed an EEG-guided neuroadaptive training platform for simulated prosthetic vision in immersive virtual reality and evaluated its feasibility in a sham-controlled object-localization task. Twenty-two sighted participants searched a virtual desk scene rendered through a low-resolution phosphene simulation while EEG was recorded using a dry-electrode headset integrated with a head-mounted display. During training, participants received post-trial visual feedback based either on a commonly used EEG engagement index, beta/(alpha+theta), or on visually matched non-contingent sham values. Both groups showed comparable within-session improvements in localization performance, consistent with practice, increasing familiarity with the simulated percepts, or refinement of search strategies. EEG-contingent feedback did not produce reliable group-level benefits in localization accuracy, completion time, workload, or modulation of the targeted index. Exploratory analyses showed substantial individual variability that was not specific to contingent feedback. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of integrating EEG-contingent feedback with immersive simulated prosthetic vision, while identifying important limitations of the EEG measure, single-session training protocol, and post-trial feedback design.