This study seeks to determine the extent of the visual capabilities that can be restored in
      hemianopic stroke patients by a multisensory training technique and evaluate changes in the
      brain that the training induces. The effectiveness of the technique will be evaluated in two
      interventional contexts: patients whose blindness is long-standing and stable, and another in
      which intervention is as soon as possible after the stroke.

Ameliorating Stroke-induced Hemianopia Via Multisensory Training

Hemianopia, Homonymous

Cortical Blindness, Unspecified Side of Brain

The aims of the study are to:

      1. To identify the visual capabilities and neural circuits in stroke patients with stable
      hemianopia (>6 months) that recover after regular multisensory (vs. unisensory) training
      sessions. This involves:

      1A. Using clinical ophthalmological tests and visual perceptual tests to evaluate the visual
      capabilities that are recovered.

      1B. Determining whether the size or extent of cortical lesions are predictive of changes
      induced by the training technique, and tracking changes in the residual visual circuits using
      functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

      1C. Determining if the training-induced changes improve, persist, or degrade over time by
      re-assessment at a 12-month followup.

      2. Evaluate the effectiveness of an earlier (<1 month post-stroke) and more intense training
      intervention strategy using the above approach and comparing the outcomes in these two
      approaches.

Multisensory Training

Unisensory Training

Humphrey tests - The Humphrey visual field test measures the entire area of peripheral vision that can be seen while the eye is focused on a central point. During this test, lights of varying intensities appear in different parts of the visual field while the patient's eye is focused on a certain spot. A normal visual field extends approximately 100° temporally (laterally), 60° nasally, 60° superiorly, and 70° inferiorly. A normal visual field measures about: 90 degrees temporally. 50 degrees superiorly and nasally. 60 degrees inferiorly

Ability to detect and discriminate different visual features - The participant is asked to indicate (via button press) whether the test stimulus matches the sample (left button), does not match the sample (right button), or there was no test stimulus (withhold response).

Used to measure functional lesion and assess changes - fMRI enables the detection of abnormalities of the brain, as well as the assessment of the normal functional anatomy of the brain, which cannot be accomplished with other imaging techniques.

The Veterans Affairs Low-Vision Visual Functioning Questionnaire-48 (VA-LV-VFQ-48) - A higher score on the VA LV VFQ-48 indicates better ability or less difficulty in performing activities

Patients with stable hemianopia (>6 months) are given multisensory training

Patients with stable hemianopia (>6 months) are given auditory training and crossover to multisensory training

Patients with early hemianopia (<1 months) are given multisensory training

Patients with early hemianopia (<1 months) are given auditory training and crossover to multisensory training

Ameliorating Stroke-induced Hemianopia Via Multisensory Training

About this trial

Study ID

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Type

Phase

Placebo

Accepting

Not accepting

Trial Timing

What is this trial about?

What are the participation requirements?

Locations

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