Effect of Eye-Tracking Technology-Based Visual Scanning Training on Unilateral Spatial Neglect after Stroke

This study aimed to explore the effect of eye-tracking technology-based visual scanning training on recovery from unilateral spatial neglect after stroke. Stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect (n = 48) from Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were recruited and randomly divided into an eye-tracking technology-based visual scanning training group (n = 24) and a conventional visual scanning training group (n = 24). The training regimen was 30 min/session, 1 session/day, and 5 days/week. The experimental group received visual scanning training via eye-tracking technology for 15 min and conventional unilateral spatial neglect training for 15 min. The control group received conventional unilateral spatial neglect training for 30 min. Both groups received conventional drug therapy and underwent conventional occupational rehabilitation. The Behaviour Inattention Test-Conventional Group (BIT-C), the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS), and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess recovery from unilateral spatial neglect and to evaluate activities of daily living (ADLs) before and after treatment. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to assess cognitive function before and after treatment. The results suggested that eye-tracking technology-based visual scanning training is more effective than conventional training in terms of alleviating unilateral spatial neglect and reducing the severity of neglect in ADLs. However, compared with conventional training, eye-tracking technology-based visual scanning training did not significantly increase ADL or MMSE scores.