Article

Homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) are one of the most common
consequences of stroke. Compensatory training encourages affected individuals to
develop more efficient eye movements to improve function. However, training is
typically supervised, which can be time consuming and costly. OBJECTIVE: To
develop and evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of an unsupervised reading and
exploration computer training for individuals with HVFDs. METHODS: Seventy
individuals with chronic HVFDs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups:
intervention or control. The former received 35 hours of reading and exploration
training, and the latter received 35 hours of control training. Visual and
attentional abilities were assessed before and after training using perimetry,
visual search, reading, activities of daily living, the Test of Everyday
Attention, and a Sustained Attention to Response task. RESULTS: Eighteen
individuals failed to complete the training; analyses were conducted on the
remaining 28 intervention and 24 control group participants. Individuals in the
intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in the primary outcomes
of exploration (12.87%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.44% to 17.30%) and
reading (18.45%, 95% CI = 9.93% to 26.97%), which were significantly greater than
those observed following the control intervention (exploration = 4.80%, 95% CI =
0.09% to 9.51%; reading = 1.95%, 95% CI = -4.78% to 8.68%). Participants in the
intervention group also reported secondary subjective improvements, although
these were not matched by objective gains in tasks simulating activities of daily
living. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based compensatory training is an inexpensive
accessible rehabilitation option for individuals with HVFDs, which can result in
objective benefits in searching and reading, as well as improving quality of
life.

Langue : ANGLAIS