Multimodal virtual reality application for the study of unilateral spatial neglect

Abstract

In the present paper, we describe a virtual reality application developed for the study of unilateral spatial neglect, a post-stroke neurological disorder that results in failure to respond to stimuli presented contralaterally to the damaged hemisphere. Recently, it has been proposed that patients with unilateral spatial neglect experience sensorimotor decorrelation in the affected space. Consequently, it is possible that since the sensorimotor experience in the affected space is perturbed, patients avoid this space, which results in neglect behavior. Here, we evaluate this hypothesis using a virtual reality application built on the base of the Stringed Haptic Workbench, a large-scale visuo-haptic system. The results provide support for the hypothesis and demonstrate that the proposed application is suitable for the envisioned goal.

Feasibility of hemispatial neglect rehabilitation with virtual reality-based visual exploration therapy among patients with stroke: randomised controlled trial

“…Despite the multiple positive reports of VET mentioned, the evidence is still not established (Gammeri et al, 2020;Longley et al, 2021). On the other hand, the effects of VET has been enhanced via combination with other techniques (Gammeri et al, 2020) easily implemented in VR (Tsirlin et al, 2009). VR could overcome the shortcomings of VET, which requires considerable therapist participation, as well as patient co-operation, to attain stable and generalised effects (Antonucci et al, 1995;Kerkhoff and Schenk, 2012).…”