It is worth noting that an enormous percentage of stroke survivors, around one-third, experience a difficult condition called “neglect.”
This neurological condition has a profound impact on the recovery of individuals who have experienced a stroke, leading to difficulties in their physical abilities and important cognitive functions, such as spatial awareness.
Visuospatial neglect (VSN) is a condition that is characterized by difficulties in recognizing objects within certain areas of the visual field, typically on the left side, although it can occur elsewhere as well.
These circumstances can result in a higher likelihood of falls and increased stress for caregivers.
Traditional rehabilitation methods often pose challenges for both patients and therapists, leading to difficulties in patient engagement and diagnostic complexities for therapists.
The absence of a standardized treatment for Visual Spatial Neglect (VSN) further compounds these issues, prompting recent research initiatives to explore innovative treatment solutions.
Two recent studies (designated as study 1 and study 2) have identified the potential efficacy of music therapy and virtual reality (VR) as promising treatment modalities for VSN patients.
Music therapy introduces a practice known as Musical Neglect Training (MNT), where patients actively participate in musical exercises.
In MNT, patients are instructed to play musical patterns, melodic or rhythmic, on various instruments, extending into their neglected visual field, often situated on their left side. Initial findings from a music therapy study demonstrated promising outcomes.
Visual Spatial Neglect Treatment
VR has also emerged as a potential breakthrough in VSN treatment. Recent studies have showcased VR’s effectiveness in VSN diagnosis, assessment, and motivation.
The core advantages of VR treatment include customizable experiences and immersive patient engagement.
A research team observed increased brain activity in neglected regions after a VR intervention, correlating with enhanced saccadic eye movements.
A new study has investigated an unusual combination of MNT and VR interventions, showing encouraging preliminary findings.
Patients exhibited varying levels of engagement and response across different measures, with some reporting improvements in task performance.
Another study, currently undergoing peer review, unveiled positive feedback and enhanced engagement in VSN patients using a custom VR application for treatment. Notably, one patient’s task response time appeared to significantly improve with the incorporation of audio cues.
These studies offer a glimpse into the future of personalized rehabilitation, holding promise for the ongoing advancement of treatment methods for stroke and neglect.
Dr. Andrew Danso, a postdoctoral researcher at the Music Therapy, Centre of Excellence in Music, Mind, Body, and Brain at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, is at the forefront of this transformative research.
