The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of training with an adaptive computer game, in comparison to standard training, in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors suffering from spatial neglect.
Many stroke survivors who have suffered right brain damage show spatial neglect (SN), a deficit of spatial attention orienting that causes unawareness for stimuli located in the left hemispace. Recent data show that the execution of concurrent tasks (that is, multitasking) can worsen the clinical condition and impact functional recovery. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of an adaptive computer game "Labyrinth" previously validated on health population. The videogame is designed for training both attention and execution functions as it engages spatial navigation and multitasking. The effect of the computer game will be compared to standard computerized exercises used for neglect rehabilitation. The investigators plan to administer to a sample of 30 stroke patients with SN both Labyrinth and standard trainings for 10 sessions each. The two trainings will be delivered in a randomized crossover design. Improvements of patients' performance will be registered across trainings and in a follow-up test at 1 month, by assessing the severity of SN and functional everyday outcomes. The investigators expect that patients' performance will improve following both types of training, but with stronger improvement for the adaptive videogame.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
Patients sit in front of a computer monitor and play the adaptive videogame with a joystick. The game requires to orient and move inside a maze, and it includes phases that engage multitasking abilities. The level and speed of the game is adapted online to patients' performance.
Patients sit in front of the computer monitor and perform simple computerized exercises using a keyboard to respond. Exercises are organized into modules according to the trained cognitive functions. Patients will perform four different modules that are designed for neglect rehabilitation. The level of exercises adapts periodically based on patient's performance.
Ospedale San Camillo IRCCS
Venice-Lido, Veneto, Italy
RECRUITINGChanges at Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT)
Diagnostic test for spatial neglect, composed by different subtests of spatial attention
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the first training; immediately after the second training; finally after 3 weeks from the end of second training
Changes at KF-NAP scale
Test for everyday functional outcome
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the first training; immediately after the second training; finally after 3 weeks from the end of second training
Changes at Load Test
Computerized test on spatial monitoring and multitasking abilities
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the first training; immediately after the second training; finally after 3 weeks from the end of second training
Changes at Apple Test
Test for allocentric and egocentric spatial neglect
Time frame: Baseline; immediately after the first training; immediately after the second training; finally after 3 weeks from the end of second training
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