Assessing Unilateral Spatial Neglect using advanced technologies: The potentiality of mobile virtual reality

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN) is a common behavioral syndrome after unilateral brain damage, often caused by stroke.
• Traditional neglect evaluations have limitations, prompting the exploration of new technologies like computer-based tools and virtual reality.
• Mobile devices, such as tablets, offer promising potential for interactive virtual environments and reproducing traditional tests for neglect assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of a novel mobile application, Neglect App, designed for tablets (iPad).
• To evaluate Neglect App's efficacy in screening for unilateral spatial neglect symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 16 right-damaged patients was divided based on the presence or absence of neglect.
• Assessment tests were administered in both traditional paper-and-pencil and Neglect App versions.
• Specific tasks included cancellation tests (Line and Star) and a Card Dealing task.

Main Results:

• Neglect App's cancellation tests demonstrated equal effectiveness to traditional methods in detecting neglect symptoms.
• The Neglect App Card Dealing task proved more sensitive in identifying neglect symptoms compared to traditional functional tasks.
• Preliminary findings suggest the app's utility in identifying neglect.

Conclusions:

• The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of Neglect App for screening Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN) symptoms.
• Mobile applications represent a viable technological advancement for neurological assessment.
• Further validation may enhance the integration of digital tools in clinical practice.