Mixed-Reality Visual Attention Task for Neglect Diagnosis and Rehabilitation

Pilot Study of a Mixed-Reality Visual Attention Task for Neglect Diagnosis and Rehabilitation

Neglect, a common and disabling neurological deficit post-CNS injury, profoundly hinders recovery and escalates healthcare costs. Current diagnostic tools are often insensitive or impractical, and while therapies exist, a significant research gap remains. Traditional methods, including standardized scales and paper-pencil tests, lack precision; even advanced video oculography is limited by cost and accessibility. Rehabilitative approaches like visual scanning and prism adaptation offer some benefit, but more effective solutions are needed. This project utilizes a non-invasive neuromodulatory training approach via a mixed-reality visual attention task delivered through a virtual reality headset. This system aims to improve both neglect diagnosis and personalized therapeutic intervention. The study will assess the headset's safety and practicality, its capacity to detect and lateralize neglect, and its long-term effect on improving attention to the neglected field. By measuring reaction times to visual stimuli within the VR environment, the research seeks to develop a more accessible and impactful tool for both assessing and treating neglect, potentially enabling self-directed therapy and enhancing patient outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The study will involve patients over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with a neurological injury that includes: ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, tumor, or trauma.
• Neurological injury that localizes to only one side of the brain
• At least one hand that retains dexterity enough to use a controller to extinguish the visual stimulus.
• Cognitive ability to understand simple instructions on how to use the device
• Visual fields intact

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral symptomatic injury
• Inability to consent or to comply with study
• Blindness or severe visual deficits other than neglect