http://www.jneuroengrehab.com/content/10/1/92/abstract
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Although common during the early stages of recovery from severe traumatic brain injury
(TBI), attention deficits have been scarcely investigated. Encouraging evidence suggests
beneficial effects of attention training in more chronic and higher functioning patients.
Interactive technology may provide new opportunities for rehabilitation in inpatients
who are earlier in their recovery.
Methods
We designed a "virtually minimal" approach using robot-rendered haptics in a virtual
environment to train severely injured inpatients in the early stages of recovery to
sustain attention to a visuo-motor task. 21 inpatients with severe TBI completed repetitive
reaching toward targets that were both seen and felt. Patients were tested over two
consecutive days, experiencing 3 conditions (no haptic feedback, a break-through force,
and haptic nudge) in 12 successive, 4-minute blocks.
Results
The interactive visuo-haptic environments were well-tolerated and engaging. Patients
typically remained attentive to the task. However, patients exhibited attention loss
both before (prolonged initiation) and during (pauses during motion) a movement. Compared
to no haptic feedback, patients benefited from haptic nudge cues but not break-through
forces. As training progressed, patients increased the number of targets acquired
and spontaneously improved from one day to the next.
Conclusions
Interactive visuo-haptic environments could be beneficial for attention training for
severe TBI patients in the early stages of recovery and warrants further and more
prolonged clinical testing.
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