Rehabilitation of Visual Function After Brain Injury
- Conditions
- Stroke HemorrhagicBrain InjuriesTraumatic Brain InjuryStroke, Ischemic
- Interventions
- Device: Neuro Vision Technology
- Registration Number
- NCT03160131
- Lead Sponsor
- University Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen
- Brief Summary
In Denmark, about 120,000 people suffer from brain damage, of whom approx. 75,000 with brain damage after stroke. Serious and often lasting vision impairments affect 20% to 35% of people after stroke. Vision is the most important sense in humans, and even smaller permanent injuries can drastically reduce quality of life.
Vision impairments after brain damage inhibits rehabilitation and enhances other invalidating effects. Reduced vision results in impaired balance, increased risk of serious falls, increased support needs, reduced quality of life, and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Restoration of visual field impairments occur only to a small extent during the first month after brain damage, and therefore the time window for spontaneous improvements is very limited. Hence, brain-impaired persons with visual impairment will most likely experience chronically impaired vision already 4 weeks after brain injury and the need for visual compensatory rehabilitation is substantial.
Neuro Vision Technology (NVT) is an supervised training course where people with visual impairments are trained in compensatory techniques using special equipment. Through the NVT process, the individual's vision problems are carefully investigated and personal data is used to organize individual training sessions that practice the individual in coping with situations that cause problems in everyday life.
The purpose of this study is to investigate whether rehabilitation with NVT can cause significant and lasting improvement in functional capacity in persons with chronic visual impairments after brain injury. Improving eyesight is expected to increase both physical and mental functioning, thus improving the quality of life. Participants included in the project will be investigated in terms of both visual and mental functions, including quality of life, cognition and depression. Such an investigation has not been performed previously and can have a significant impact on vision rehabilitation both nationally and internationally.
- Detailed Description
Background and purpose
Stroke is the main cause of brain injury in Denmark, is the most common cause of invalidity among adults and affects 11,000 Danes annually. By comparison, the second most common cause of brain damage is traumatic brain injury, affecting 3,000 Danes annually. In total, approx. 22,000 children and adults annually experience brain injury in Denmark.
In Denmark, about 120,000 people suffer from brain damage, of whom approx. 75,000 with brain damage after stroke. Serious and often lasting vision impairments affect 20% to 35% of people with stroke. In general, vision is the most important sense in humans, thus even small permanent deficits can dramatically affect the quality of life.
Lack of vision (anopia) after brain damage limits rehabilitation and enhances other invalidating effects. Impaired vision results in impaired balance, increased risk of serious falls, increased support needs, reduced quality of life and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living. Recovery of visual field deficits occurs primarily and only to a modest extent the first month after brain injury, and thus the time window for spontaneous improvements is very limited. Hence, brain-impaired persons with visual impairment will most likely experience chronically impaired vision already 4 weeks after brain injury, and the need for visual compensatory rehabilitation is substantial.
Neuro Vision Technology (NVT) is a supervised training course where people with visual field deficits are trained in compensatory and restorative techniques. The course includes a special computer program, a light panel and a special training program, and the course is conducted with Certified Orientation \& Mobility Instructors (O \& M instructors) with visual expertise. Through the NVT course, the individual's specific vision deficits are carefully identified through a five-step program. Personal data is used to organize individual training and thereby teaching the individual to cope with situations that cause problems in everyday life. In spite of reported positive results of NVT training among several individuals, there are currently few and insufficient scientific studies on whether rehabilitation with NVT results in lasting and clinically significant improvements in people with severe and chronic visual field impairments.
The purpose of this study is to test whether rehabilitation with NVT can lead to significant and lasting improvements in persons with chronic visual impairments after brain injury. Improving eyesight is expected to increase both physical and mental functioning, thus improving the quality of life. Study participants will be investigated in terms of both visual and mental functions, including quality of life, cognition and depression.
Design and methods
This study is designed as a controlled prospective study in which the same subject is examined before and after the intervention. These are subjects with chronic visual field impairments, who will not experience significant spontaneous remission or deterioration. These subjects have typically experienced a stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or traumatic brain injury. There is a high risk of injury worsening in persons with malignant or progressive tumors, making it difficult or impossible to document a beneficial effect of the intervention; People with such progressive diseases will be excluded from participation in the trial.
Intervention: NVT and Mobility
The term O \& M is understood as the ability to move safely in physical space and in the surrounding community. By controlling orientation and mobility techniques, a person with a restricted field of vision can be able to move not only safely, but also freely and independently. The Neuro Vision Technology method uses a special device in the form of light panels and neurological vision tests that give an overview of cognitive difficulties. This light panel is connected to a computer.
Static scanning is investigated using the special light panel with 24 light bulbs divided into two rows, the panel length corresponding to the 180 degrees that normal and well-functioning human eyes can see. Where it is considered relevant, the study participants are referred to the ophthalmologist, specialist optician, or a reading / visual clinic to ensure participants the optimal starting point for using his or her vision. Records are obtained in which the test results are stored.
At the start of the intervention, cognitive tests are performed as well as a standardized route training (mobility route training) that the subject must be able to perform independently. On the route there are a number of targets (stars) that study participants should try to locate. Investigators measure the time spent by study participants on the route, as well as the number of targets ignored by any participant.
Study participants are then placed at the light panel, where the scan pattern is automated and gradually transferred to indoor mobility routes.
When the procedures are automated, the exercise is done outdoors using progressively increasing complexity. Training also Involves the use of public transport and exercises in order to safely move in the traffic. A NVT course includes 3 hours of cognitive (baseline) testing, then a total of 22 hours of teaching given twice a week for 2½ to 3 months. A re-test of 3 hours duration is performed 6 weeks after the NVT course has been finished.
Blinding
Participants are randomized to intervention or control groups. As far as possible, it is ensured that the investigator who measures the subjects' functional level at the end of intervention has not previously had contact with, or knowledge of, the particular participant. Thus, the levels of function of the participants is evaluated by different persons before and after intervention to ensure impartial assessments.
Recruitment
Suitable subjects are consecutively included from the Institute for Blind and Partially Sighted (IBOS), Herlev University Hospital, especially Neurological Department, and other neurological departments. A screening will be performed to assess the suitability of a person to participate in the trial. Attendance is voluntary and all sessions are free for the participant.
Sample Size Estimation
The primary endpoint is the ability to perform the mobility route test with the lowest possible number of errors. After trial start, 40% of the correct targets are expected to rise to 65% at the end of the trial. As a basis for power calculation, α = 0.05 and β = 0.5 are used. Sample size is calculated to 22 participants in each group. Due to age, difficulty in transport and the time-consuming intervention, up to 25% dropouts are expected, thus we aim to include 56 participants.
Study Participants
At least 56 people with permanent visual impairment after brain damage corresponding to hemianopia, quadrant hemianopia or scotoma resulting in functional impairment at activity or participation level.
Data collection
Data collection and databases are prepared for registration and data processing. Data at baseline include: Age, living single / cohabitant at home, in-home care services, mobility aids, social network, height, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption etc.
Statistical analysis
Due to the limited group sizes, data can not be assumed to be normally distributed and non-parametric statistics will be used. Mann-Whitney's test will be used for comparing two individual groups (unpaired observations), while Spearman's rankorder correlation test will be used for ranked pairs. Fisher's exact probability test will be used for categorical data comparisons resulting from classifying data in two different ways. Group-specific test score changes at baseline and after the NVT intervention will be evaluated using Wilcoxon's signed-rank test for paired observations.
Lack of data is acceptable as long as an assessment of the primary endpoint is still possible.
Data from participants that make it possible to assess the primary endpoint will be used as a minimum; However, we hope that data from all subjects can be used to evaluate secondary effect targets.
Ethics
The project is in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration, has been assessed by the Scientific Ethics Committee, Protocol No.: H-17001534 and can be initiated. The law of protecting personal data will be uphold.
Adverse events
There are no invasive treatments, and no adverse events or risks are expected in the trial. Regardless of the reason, any subject may at any time cease to participate in the trial.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 56
Not provided
Not provided
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Intervention Neuro Vision Technology All participants receive NVT course training and are tested at baseline and at the end of the study for primary and secondary endpoints.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Ability to complete a mobility route 3 months Target identification and thus to compare how many targets are seen after the intervention.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Test of Attentional Performance (TAP) Test 2.3: Visual Field 3 months Test for field defects in which the subject will respond quickly to stimuli in the field of view.
Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) 3 months Assessment of quality of life. Measured in points summing up several scales.
Fatigue Severity Scale-7 3 months Short fatigue test.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 3 months Cognitive screening test that provides an estimate of the intellectual functional level.
Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory 20 (MFI-20) 3 months Fatigue test used to assess the occurrence of physical fatigue, mental fatigue, activity level, motivation and general fatigue.
Time to complete a mobility route 3 months Time consumption and thus speed to complete the mobility route. Through the route there are a number of targets (stars) that study participants should try to locate. Investigators measure the time spent by study participants on the route, as well as the number of targets ignored by any participant. Measured in minutes and seconds.
Rey-Osterrieth's complex figure test 3 months Copying advanced visual figure (without recall).
Modified Barthel-100 Index 3 months Assessment of invalidity rate and ability to perform activities of daily living.
National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire-25 (VFQ-25) 3 months Questionnaire dealing with vision problems and concerns associated with a person's visual function. Measured in points summing up several scales.
Hemisphere differences 3 months As part of the study, it will be assessed whether persons with lesion of right hemisphere, ie left-field hemianopia may be more likely to be disorientated and due to neglect will overlook more details - this is done by comparing trial participants with right vs. left hemispheric lesions.
Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT) 3 months Test of attention and vision.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
The Institute for the Blind and Partially Sighted (IBOS)
🇩🇰Copenhagen, Hellerup, Denmark