Telerehabilitation for visual field defects with a multisensory training: a feasibility study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Ophthalmology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Acquired homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) cause significant disability and reduced quality of life.
• Rehabilitation is crucial as spontaneous recovery diminishes over time.
• Telerehabilitation offers a promising solution for long-term, home-based therapy in the chronic phase.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of home-based, remote-supervised audio-visual training (AVT) for chronic HVFDs.
• To evaluate immediate and long-term effects on visual function, daily activities, and mood.
• To compare home-based AVT with its in-person counterpart.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm clinical trial involving 26 adults with chronic HVFDs.
• Assessment of visual field scanning, reading, daily activities, and mood.
• Investigation of predictors of treatment gains using behavioral, neuro-ophthalmological, and neuroradiological data.

Main Results:

• Home-based AVT significantly improved visual search, reading, mood, and daily living activities, with sustained effects up to 6 months.
• Treatment gains correlated with visual search deficit severity and multisensory integration efficiency.
• Telerehabilitation AVT showed comparable efficacy to in-person AVT.

Conclusions:

• Telerehabilitation-delivered multisensory training is feasible and effective for adults with chronic HVFDs.
• The training ameliorates visual field loss compensation, improves mood, and reduces functional disabilities.
• This approach supports long-term management and improved quality of life for individuals with HVFDs.