Virtual Reality Therapy for Spatial Neglect After Stroke

(VR-SRT Trial)

Overseen By Emma Kaplan

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Kessler Foundation

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Psychiatric, Vestibular, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 2 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a virtual reality (VR) therapy game designed to assist individuals with spatial neglect after a stroke. Spatial neglect can make it difficult to notice things on one side of the body, and this game aims to retrain the brain to improve awareness. Participants will engage in therapy activities using VR to immerse themselves in a virtual environment. This trial suits those who speak English, have experienced a single stroke affecting one side of the brain, and suffer from moderate to severe spatial neglect. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy methods and contribute to advancing stroke rehabilitation.

Do I need to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this VR system is safe for people with spatial neglect after stroke?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) therapy is generally safe for people who have had a stroke. Studies have found that VR training can improve symptoms of spatial neglect, a condition where individuals struggle to notice one side of their surroundings after a stroke.

In these studies, most participants handled VR well, experiencing no major side effects. VR therapy offers a safe environment for patients to practice movements in a game-like setting, enabling them to exercise without the risk of injury. Overall, the research suggests that VR therapy is a safe and promising option for aiding stroke survivors with spatial neglect. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about VR Therapy Game for spatial neglect after a stroke because it offers a fresh approach compared to conventional treatments like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and visual scanning training. Unlike traditional methods that often involve repetitive physical exercises, VR Therapy Game immerses patients in a virtual environment, making the rehabilitation process more engaging and interactive. This innovative delivery method not only helps keep patients motivated but also allows for precise control over therapy activities, which can be tailored to individual needs. By using a head-mounted display, the therapy provides an immersive experience that can potentially enhance spatial awareness and cognitive recovery in a way that standard treatments may not.

What evidence suggests that this VR therapy game is effective for spatial neglect after stroke?

This trial will evaluate VR-based spatial retraining for stroke patients with spatial neglect. Studies have shown that virtual reality (VR) can improve symptoms of spatial neglect, a condition often seen in stroke patients. Research indicates that VR therapy creates engaging environments that boost attention and awareness in affected areas. One study showed that VR training led to noticeable improvements in patients with this condition. Various VR formats, including immersive experiences, have proven effective. These findings suggest that VR therapy could be a promising tool for stroke rehabilitation. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Peii Chen, PhD

Principal Investigator

Kessler Foundation

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking stroke survivors who have spatial neglect due to damage in one side of the brain. They should live within 50 miles of West Orange, NJ. Those with severe psychiatric or progressive neurological disorders, or a history of vestibular problems cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

I have trouble noticing things on one side of my body or space.

I have had a stroke that affected one side of my brain.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a worsening neurological condition.

Living outside a 50-mile radius of Kessler Foundation (located in West Orange, NJ)

History of significant psychiatric disorders

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in VR-based spatial retraining therapy using a head-mounted display

2 weeks

Multiple sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

1 visit (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• VR Therapy Game

Trial Overview The study is testing a new virtual reality (VR) therapy game designed to help improve attention and awareness of space in people who experience spatial neglect following a stroke.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: VR-based spatial retraining Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Game-like therapy activities will be taken place in a virtual environment, provided through an immersive head-mounted display.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Kessler Foundation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

190

Recruited

11,300+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3309210/

The Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Unilateral Spatial ... This study suggests that virtual reality training may be a beneficial therapeutic technique on unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763423002178

Virtual reality rehabilitation for unilateral spatial neglect Virtual reality has been shown to improve symptoms of unilateral spatial neglect. Non-immersive, semi-immersive and immersive VR protocols are all effective.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4548208/

Assessment and rehabilitation of neglect using virtual reality After experiencing a stroke in the right hemisphere, almost 50% of patients showed Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN). In recent decades, Virtual Reality (VR) has ...

4. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07102927

The Effects of Virtual Reality-based Training for ... Few studies have clearly demonstrated the efficacy of VR treatment specifically in stroke patients, and VR applications in rehabilitation ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2023.1142663/full

Feasibility of hemispatial neglect rehabilitation with virtual ... The effect of virtual reality training on unilateral spatial neglect in stroke patients. Ann. Rehabil. Med. 35, 309–315. doi: 10.5535/arm ...

6. xr.jmir.org xr.jmir.org/2025/1/e72439

Development and User Experiences of a Novel Virtual Reality ... VR provides a safe setting for patients to engage in realistic and repetitive movements, either as an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy or ...

7. news-medical.net news-medical.net/news/20251021/New-virtual-reality-training-task-can-help-stroke-survivors-living-with-visuospatial-neglect.aspx

New virtual reality training task can help stroke survivors ... In the study, published in JMIR XR & Spatial Computing, two stroke survivors with visuospatial neglect participated in 12 VR-assisted ...

8. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1242

From Patient to Musician: A Multi-Sensory Virtual Reality ... Unilateral Spatial Neglect (USN) commonly results from a stroke or acquired brain injury. USN affects multiple modalities and results in failure to respond ...