Visual Scanning Training for Neglect after Stroke with and without a Computerized Lane Tracking Dual Task

van Kessel, Marlies E.; Geurts, Alexander C. H.; Brouwer, Wiebo; Fasotti, Luciano · 2013 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00358

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigated whether combining standard visual scanning training with a computerized dual-task component could enhance rehabilitation outcomes for patients with visuospatial neglect following a right hemisphere stroke. Neglect is characterized by a failure to explore the contralesional space, and while visual scanning training (specifically the Training di Scanning Visuospaziale, or TSVS) is a recommended intervention, its effectiveness varies. The authors hypothesized that integrating a dual task—requiring simultaneous spatial scanning and non-spatial attentional control—might improve training results by addressing underlying deficits in attentional networks. The researchers conducted a semi-randomized controlled trial involving 29 subacute stroke patients, divided into an experimental group (N=14) and a control group (N=15). Both groups underwent 30 training sessions over six weeks. The control group received standard TSVS, which included digit detection, reading, copying, and figure description tasks, alongside a single lane-tracking task on a driving simulator twice weekly. The experimental group followed the same protocol but added a dual-task component during weeks 4–6. This involved combining the TSVS digit detection task with lane tracking on the same projection screen, creating a computerized visual reaction time task designed to train divided attention. Assessments included various paper-and-pencil neglect tests, semi-structured observation scales, and driving simulator tasks administered before and after training. The results indicated no significant group or interaction effects, suggesting that the addition of dual-task training did not provide superior benefits compared to standard training alone. However, both groups combined showed significant improvements on most assessment tasks post-training. The authors noted that these ameliorations were not correlated with the time since stroke onset. Importantly, the study acknowledged that spontaneous recovery, test-retest variability, and learning effects could not be fully ruled out as confounding factors, as these were not strictly controlled for in the design. The study concludes that while visual scanning training yields improvements in neglect symptoms, the specific addition of a computerized dual-task component did not significantly enhance these outcomes in this sample. The findings suggest that future research should explore increasing the volume of dual-task training, implementing progressive difficulty levels in simulator tasks, and further investigating the relationship between dual-task performance and daily functioning. The work highlights the complexity of treating neglect, where variability in patient response and the potential for spontaneous recovery complicate the evaluation of specific intervention efficacy.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• hazard perception training