Stroboscopic visual training: The potential for clinical application in neurological populations

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Visual impairments frequently accompany neurological injuries and diseases, impacting postural control and gait.
• Vision therapy, including stroboscopic visual training (SVT), is a potential intervention for these visual deficits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the use of strobe glasses as a training intervention for visual and motor performance.
• To inform the development of standardized clinical protocols for SVT.

Main Methods:

• A structured review of studies utilizing strobe glasses for training.
• Searches conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases in January 2023.
• Inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to 33 screened full-text articles, with 15 meeting criteria.

Main Results:

• SVT demonstrated improvements in short-term memory, attention, and visual response times.
• Emerging evidence suggests SVT benefits may extend to balance and physical performance.
• Significant variability exists in SVT protocols, settings, duration, and outcome measures across studies.

Conclusions:

• SVT holds potential for enhancing visuomotor and cognitive functions in clinical populations.
• Lack of standardization and limited evidence in patient groups necessitate further research.
• Optimal SVT dosage and delivery require investigation for effective clinical implementation.