Prism Adaptation Therapy for Spatial Neglect

The purpose of this research study with a randomized controlled design is to examine the effects of prism adaptation treatment on two visual-spatial recovery components. After a stroke, an "internal GPS", locating where objects or people lie in a particular area of space, may be impaired. Alternately, a stroke may impair precise visual-spatial hand and body aiming movements. The research team wishes to discover whether prism adaptation treatment (two weeks of daily 20-min sessions of goal-directed movement with prism goggles) affects visual-spatial where or aiming errors selectively after stroke. This research represents one of the first attempts to apply what we know about the brain from neuroscience research, to modern clinical rehabilitation practices.

The purpose of this research study with a randomized controlled design is to examine the effects of prism adaptation treatment on two visual-spatial recovery components. After a stroke, an "internal GPS", locating where objects or people lie in a particular area of space, may be impaired. Alternately, a stroke may impair precise visual-spatial hand and body aiming movements. The research team wishes to discover whether prism adaptation treatment (two weeks of daily 20-min sessions of goal-directed movement with prism goggles) affects visual-spatial where or aiming errors selectively after stroke. This research represents one of the first attempts to apply what we know about the brain from neuroscience research, to modern clinical rehabilitation practices.

Two weeks of prism adaptation treatment followed by 4 weekly assessments and long-term follow-ups at the 3rd and 6th months.

Participants will continue with their standard inpatient rehabilitation care. They will be assessed with cognitive and functional scales for tracking their recovery.

a performance based and behavioral measure for spatial neglect that utilizes and standardizes the administration of the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS)

Inclusion Criteria: The subject is 18 to 100 years of age, inclusive. The subject has had a stroke on the right side of the brain. The subject is able to give Informed consent. The subject has a spatial neglect (if known). The subject is able and willing to comply with the study protocol, including availability for all scheduled clinic visits. Exclusion Criteria: The subject has or had a serious brain condition other than stroke.

Longley V, Hazelton C, Heal C, Pollock A, Woodward-Nutt K, Mitchell C, Pobric G, Vail A, Bowen A. Non-pharmacological interventions for spatial neglect or inattention following stroke and other non-progressive brain injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Jul 1;7(7):CD003586. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003586.pub4.

Boukrina O, Chen P, Budinoska T, Barrett AM. Exploratory examination of lexical and neuroanatomic correlates of neglect dyslexia. Neuropsychology. 2020 May;34(4):404-419. doi: 10.1037/neu0000619. Epub 2020 Jan 30.

Caulfield MD, Chen P, Barry MM, Barrett AM. Which perseverative behaviors are symptoms of spatial neglect? Brain Cogn. 2017 Apr;113:93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.bandc.2016.11.002. Epub 2017 Feb 3.