Finding Wally: prism adaptation improves visual search in chronic neglect

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Spatial neglect, a common deficit after brain damage, impairs attention and awareness of one side of space.
• Visuo-motor adaptation using prismatic goggles (prism adaptation) has shown potential for alleviating neglect symptoms.
• The long-term efficacy and impact on visual search performance of prism adaptation remain debated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term clinical relevance and effects of prism adaptation on spatial neglect.
• To specifically assess the impact of prism adaptation on visual search performance in chronic neglect patients.
• To evaluate the durability of prism adaptation benefits over five weeks post-intervention.

Main Methods:

• Twenty sessions of prism adaptation were administered to 6 patients with chronic right-sided spatial neglect over two weeks.
• A matched control group of 5 neglect patients did not receive prism adaptation.
• Both groups were assessed at baseline, immediately after training, and five weeks later using clinical neglect scales, eye movement measures, and functional assessments.

Main Results:

• Prism adaptation demonstrated consistent and positive long-term effects across all tested measures of neglect.
• Significant improvements were observed in visual search performance and lateral bias of eye movements post-therapy.
• Patients reported clinically significant alleviation of neglect symptoms and improved daily functioning, persisting five weeks later.

Conclusions:

• Prism adaptation provides durable and clinically meaningful benefits for spatial neglect symptoms, even in the chronic phase.
• This rehabilitation approach effectively enhances visual search capabilities and functional recovery.
• Prism adaptation is a viable therapeutic strategy for long-term management of spatial neglect after brain injury.