The main objective of this study is to assess whether multisensory stimulation (i.e., visuo-tactile cues), enhances the ability of hemispatial neglect patients to detect sensory stimuli presented on the neglected hemispace.
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Brief title
Condition
- Neurological disorders NEC
Synonym
Research involving
Sponsors and support
Intervention
Outcome measures
Primary outcome
The main objective of this study is to assess the functional efficacy of
multisensory stimulation (i.e., visuo-tactile cues), on the ability of
hemispatial neglect patients to detect sensory stimuli presented on the
neglected hemispace. To this purpose, we will compare the performance of
patients in detecting sensory stimuli presented in the neglected hemispace
under two different conditions that differ from each other by the properties of
the sensory stimuli; 1) unisensory (i.e., only visual stimuli or only tactile
stimuli) , 2) multisensory (i.e., synchronous visuo-tactile stimulation). We
predict that synchronous visuo-tactile signals will facilitate the patients*
intrinsic ability to voluntarily control attention towards the sensory stimuli
in the neglected hemispace allowing them to be consciously processed.
Secondary outcome
To provide behavioral evidence for our future studies in which we will test
whether multisensory stimulation can be applied as an effective intervention
for stroke patients with hemispatial neglect. We predict that the
multisensory rehabilitation tools will enhance the connectivity between damaged
areas of the parietal cortex and nodes in the multisensory and voluntary
attentional control networks (frontal eye fields, posterior parietal cortex and
occipital-temporal areas).
Background summary
Hemispatial neglect is a frequent disorder following stroke and can be
described as a failure of the patients to attend towards the sensory stimuli on
the contralesional side of space. Hemispatial neglect is a major cause of
disability and handicap in stroke patients that impedes functional recovery and
is associated with a poor outcome (Buxbaum et al., 2004). Importantly, the
visual cortex in patients with pure visual neglect from stroke is often still
intact and the early visual processing is usually preserved. It is the route
from this intact visual cortex to higher level processing *involving awareness
of the visual targets* that is blocked because of the neural damage caused by
the stroke (Driver & Vuilleumier, 2001). Consequently, the sensory stimuli on
one side of space fail to receive enough attention to exceed the threshold
needed to reach awareness. In many studies on healthy subjects, synchronous
multisensory (e.g., tactile- visual) cues were found to enhance the voluntary
control of attention. Information from multiple senses can circumvent the
damaged routes in hemispatial neglect patients so that the intact visual cortex
can be functionally reengaged. It remains a question whether multisensory
stimulation can be applied as an effective intervention in stroke
rehabilitation. We predict that the synchronous tactile and visual signals will
facilitate the patients* intrinsic ability to voluntarily control attention
towards parts of their visual field that they would normally neglect.
Therefore, in the current study we will test the efficacy of synchronous
multisensory cues on the ability of patients with hemispatial neglect to detect
visual stimuli they would have otherwise missed.
Study objective
The main objective of this study is to assess whether multisensory stimulation
(i.e., visuo-tactile cues), enhances the ability of hemispatial neglect
patients to detect sensory stimuli presented on the neglected hemispace.
Study design
We will compare the performance of patients in detecting sensory stimuli
presented in the neglected hemispace under two different conditions that differ
from each other by the properties of the sensory stimuli; 1) unisensory with
only visual or only tactile stimulation, 2) multisensory with synchronous
visuo-tactile stimulation.
Study burden and risks
The patients will be recruited after contacting their neurologist or their
rehabilitation specialist from the rehabilitation unit. The neurologist or the
specialist in rehabilitation will ask the patients if they are willing to
participate in the experiment. Data will be collected from the patients during
a non-invasive measurement of approximately 120 minutes. In order to reduce the
cognitive load on the patients, there will be built-in breaks in between the
blocks of the trials
We expect that multisensory stimulation (i.e., visuo-tactile cues) will enhance
the ability of hemispatial neglect patients to detect sensory stimuli presented
on the neglected hemispace. If this is true, it can be integrated in future
therapies. The experiment is observational, non-invasive, harmless and there is
no risk involved in participating in it. It has no consequences for the
treatment of the patients. Therefore, this study is not dangerous and poses no
risk to the participants.
Heyendaalseweg 135
Nijmegen 6525 AJ
NL
Heyendaalseweg 135
Nijmegen 6525 AJ
NL
Listed location countries
Age
Inclusion criteria
• Men/women of 18 < age < 75 years.
• Presence of hemispatial neglect following stroke.
• Written informed consent after being fully informed about any possible discomfort they might experience during participation.
• Normal or corrected-to-normal visual acuity.
• Participants have a sufficient condition to sit in a chair for three hours, and are able to follow an hour of therapy without any problems.
Exclusion criteria
• Severe visual impairments (Diabetic retinopathy, cataracts) .
• Visual-field defects (e.g., Hemianopia).
• History of psychiatric disorders or substance abuse.
• Severe cognitive impairments (MMSE<18).
Design
Recruitment
Followed up by the following (possibly more current) registration
No registrations found.
Other (possibly less up-to-date) registrations in this register
In other registers
| Register | ID |
|---|---|
| CCMO | NL54611.091.15 |
| Other | staat in geschreven bij nederlands trial register, nummer volgt. |
| OMON | NL-OMON29553 |