Effect of stimulation-driven attention in virtual reality balloon search training of patients with left unilateral spatial neglect after stroke: A randomized crossover study

ABSTRACT

Patients with unilateral spatial neglect (USN) commonly experiences stimulus-driven attention deficit characterized by unexpected stimuli detection. We investigated whether virtual reality (VR) balloon search training with the screen background shifted to left space could improve stimulus-driven attention in patients with USN. The participants were divided into two groups: immediate VR group (n = 14) and delayed VR group (n = 14). The immediate VR group first received VR balloon search training, followed by control training, for two weeks each. Delayed VR group received the same training in reverse order. Outcomes were changes in scores on Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) and reaction time on the modified Posner task (MPT). There was significant improvement in CBS score change after VR balloon retrieval training (all F > 2.71; P < 0.002). In the invalid condition of MPT, significant improvements were shown after VR balloon search training in left-sided reaction time (improvement of stimulation-driven attention). This study shows that VR balloon search training can improve neglect symptoms by using an intensive intervention lasting 2 weeks.

KEYWORDS:

• Unilateral spatial neglect
• Stimulation-driven attention
• Virtual reality
• Stroke survivor
• Hemisphere lesion

Data availability statement

The datasets used and/or analysed during the present study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgements

This project was made possible thanks to the participants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.