Prism adaptation therapy improves rehabilitation outcomes in spatial neglect patients at sub-acute Phase of Recovery: A double-blinded randomized control trial

This study was conceptualized to investigate the effect of prism adaptation on rehabilitation outcomes and secondary effects on Activities of Daily Living, functional mobility, balance abilities, and QoL in post-stroke USN survivors at the sub-acute phase of recovery. 

This study was a double-blinded randomized controlled trial that investigated the effects of a 2-week PA therapy on USN assessed with the Behavioural Inattention Test (BIT-C), the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) A total of 74 right hemispheric stroke survivors at the sub-acute phase of recovery were allocated to either a control group (n=37) or an experimental group (n=37). The prism group used 20 dioptre prism lenses for repeated aiming, five days a week, for 12 days, while the control group used neutral lenses for similar aiming training. Both primary and secondary outcome measure assessment was conducted at baseline and post-treatment (after twelve sessions).

Unilateral spatial neglect symptoms as observed in the Catherine Bergego (p0.001, η²=0.410), the BIT-C (p0.001, η²=0.306) were significantly alleviated in the prismatic group post-treatment than in the control group. Greater improvement, post-treatment, was also observed in the treatment groups for ADLs (p=0.0026; η²=0.127) functional mobility (p0.001, η²=0.207), balance abilities (p0.001, η²=0.343), and Quality of Life (P0.0023, η²=0.152).Unilateral spatial neglect symptoms as observed in the Catherine Bergego (p0.001, η²=0.410), the BIT-C (p0.001, η²=0.306) were significantly alleviated in the prismatic group post-treatment than in the control group. Greater improvement, post-treatment, was also observed in the treatment groups for ADLs (p=0.0026; η²=0.127) functional mobility (p0.001, η²=0.207), balance abilities (p0.001, η²=0.343), and Quality of Life (P0.0023, η²=0.152).

Prism adaptation therapy can significantly improve post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect symptoms ADL, balance, QoL, and functional mobility in patients with post-stroke USN in the subacute phase. Prism adaptation therapy can significantly improve post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect symptoms ADL, balance, QoL, and functional mobility in patients with post-stroke USN in the subacute phase. 

These findings suggest that incorporating prism adaptation therapy into rehabilitation programs for post-stroke USN patients could lead to better functional outcomes and improved quality of life. This could be particularly beneficial in the sub-acute phase of recovery, where timely interventions are critical.