The effects of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation in patients with visuospatial neglect following stroke: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To identify studies concerning the effects of computer based cognitive rehabilitation (CBCR) on visuospatial neglect (VN) after stroke to summarize the current state of knowledge in this research field and make recommendations for future research.

Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched. Authors of relevant studies were contacted to detect unpublished data or articles not found by searching databases. Data was extracted from included studies using predefined coding schemes and characteristics and results of individual studies were summarized qualitatively.

Selection criteria: Studies were included if at least 50% of the included patients had a stroke, if the studies explored the effects of CBCR as a primary intervention for rehabilitation of VN and if they included neuropsychological outcome measures for the presence of VN.

Results: Seven studies were included. Six of the seven studies suggested positive effects of CBCR on VN after stroke. However, the study that did not find these effects was also the study with the strongest methodological quality. All included studies consisted of small samples, varied greatly in design and had various methodological limitations.

Conclusion: Because the existing literature is very sparse and studies have various methodological limitations, it is currently not possible to either support or reject the effects of CBCR on VN after stroke. Future studies should aim to compare CBCR with active and passive control conditions and include larger samples in randomized and blinded designs.

KEYWORDS:

• Visuospatial neglect
• stroke
• computer-based cognitive rehabilitation

Author contributions

K. Svaerke: Data collection, data synthesis and writing the final paper.

M. Niemeijer: Data collection, data synthesis and writing the final paper.

J. Mogensen: Supervision of the review process, solving any disagreements regarding inclusion of articles, approval of the final paper.

H. Christensen: Supervision of the review process, solving any disagreements regarding inclusion of articles, approval of the final paper

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Suzana Aznar Klein, Ph.D., for translating Aparicio-López et al.²⁶ from Spanish, which permitted the authors of this review to decide if the article was suitable for inclusion. The article was not included because CBCR was only used as a supplementary intervention.

Disclosure of interest

The authors of this article have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Data sharing statement

All data is included in this article.

Additional information

Funding

This review received no external funding.