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Updated: Jan 14, 2026
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Virtual Reality Tools for Assessing Unilateral Spatial Neglect: A Novel Opportunity for Data Collection
Published on: March 10, 2021
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Virtual reality eye movement training for neglect rehabilitation
Julia Belger1,2, Lisa Patricia Peters1, Jorik Jakober3
1Clinic for Cognitive Neurology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany.
International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology : IJCHP
|October 27, 2025
Summary
Virtual Reality Eye Movement Training (VR-EMT) offers a feasible and preferred alternative to traditional smooth pursuit training for spatial neglect patients. This immersive approach with eye tracking and real-time feedback enhances awareness and motivation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Virtual Reality Technology
Background:
- Smooth pursuit training (SPT) aids spatial neglect by directing attention but lacks standardized feedback and motivation.
- Traditional SPT limits therapist monitoring and patient engagement due to absent real-time gaze and head position data.
- Immersive virtual reality (VR) with eye tracking can overcome these limitations, offering automated feedback and potentially increasing deficit awareness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess an immersive Virtual Reality Eye Movement Training (VR-EMT) paradigm with integrated eye tracking and real-time feedback.
- To evaluate the feasibility, usability, and patient acceptance of VR-EMT in chronic post-stroke neglect patients.
- To compare VR-EMT with traditional SPT regarding performance, head orientation, gaze patterns, and patient preference.
Main Methods:
- Developed an immersive VR-EMT system with eye tracking and automated feedback on gaze and head orientation.
- Recruited twelve chronic post-stroke patients with left-sided neglect for 10 VR-EMT sessions (18 min each).
- Assessed performance in an object transport task, head rotation, gaze distribution, usability, and patient preferences.
Main Results:
- VR-EMT was executable, well-accepted, and preferred by patients over traditional SPT due to better feedback, motivation, and challenge.
- Real-time feedback improved head orientation awareness and adjustments; task difficulty modulated accuracy.
- Minimal cybersickness was observed, and a persistent ipsilesional gaze bias occurred during breaks.
Conclusions:
- VR-EMT is technically feasible, clinically applicable, well-accepted, and preferred for post-stroke neglect.
- Eye tracking proved reliable as a sole interaction modality, with real-time feedback enabling rapid behavioral adjustments.
- VR-EMT shows potential for individualized interventions and remote applications; further efficacy studies are warranted.
