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Effects of a Stimulus Response Task Using Virtual Reality on Unilateral Spatial Neglect: A Randomized Controlled
Kazuya Motomura1, Kazu Amimoto2, Taku Numao3
1Department of Rehabilitation, Mishuku Hospital, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan; Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|May 16, 2024
Summary
Virtual reality stimulus response tasks, especially with background shifts, improved reaction times in patients with unilateral spatial neglect (USN). This VR intervention shows promise for enhancing attention in the neglected visual field.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a common deficit following right-hemisphere stroke.
- Traditional therapies for USN have varying degrees of effectiveness.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive environments for targeted rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a VR-based stimulus response task for treating USN.
- To compare the effects of VR stimulus response tasks with and without background shifts against a control task.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 42 stroke patients experiencing USN.
- Participants were assigned to three groups: stimulus response with background shift (SR+BS), stimulus response (SR), or object gazing (control).
- Intervention involved a 5-day VR task focusing on reaction time to visual stimuli (balloons) in a stimulus-driven attention test (SAT).
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in reaction time were observed in the SR+BS and SR groups compared to the control group on the SAT.
- The SR+BS group demonstrated a significant improvement in reaction time within the neglected left space (left-2) compared to the SR group.
- No significant effects were found for secondary outcome measures including the Behavioral Intention Test, Catherine Bergego Scale, and straight ahead pointing.
Conclusions:
- VR-based stimulus response tasks, particularly those incorporating background shifts, show potential for improving left-sided USN.
- The findings suggest that VR interventions can enhance attentional processing in patients with spatial neglect.
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