Clinical trial NCT03516825: Musical Neglect Training for Patients With Visual Neglect
Official title: Musical Neglect Training for Unilateral Visual Neglect in Right Hemispheric Stroke Patients
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Hemispatial Neglect
Keywords: Musical Neglect Training
Neurologic Music Therapy
unilateral visual neglect
hemispatial neglect
stroke
spatial perception and attention
music therapy
Lead sponsor: University of Toronto
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Colorado State University
First posted: 2018-05-04
Enrollment: 2
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Intervention model description: The same intervention has been used for all participants (two) for this study.
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Music Neglect Training has been developed for patients with hemispatial neglect to improve their attention on the left side. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and carry-over effect of Musical Neglect Training on unilateral visual neglect. Standardized assessments (Albert's test and Line Bisection Test) were used to measure a range of visual field. A total of 6 musical exercises with tone bars which are aligned horizontally helped to improve attention and perception of the visual field on the left side.

Detailed description: Unilateral visual neglect from right hemisphere stroke is a condition that reduces a person's ability to attend to and process stimuli in one half, mostly left side, of their environment. This perceptual processing deficit can negatively affect individuals' daily living which in turn reduces functional independence. Music has been used as a therapeutic tool in a variety of settings to promote cognitive functions. In particular, music has been used to improve attention in the left sides for patients with visual neglect. Musical Neglect Training (MNT) has been developed for patients with visual neglect to improve attention in the left side.

The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and longer-lasting effect of Musical Neglect Training (MNT) on unilateral visual neglect. A single-subject design was used, as participants served as their own control. Two individuals participated in this study. Participants underwent six individual MNT sessions. MNT uses musical exercises which are structured in pitch, time and tempo, and musical equipment (tone bars, keyboards, drums) configures to focus attention to the neglect visual field. Two standardized assessments (Albert's and Line Bisection Test) were used. The assessments were administered immediately before and after each of the 6 MNT sessions to assess the immediate effect of MNT. Moreover, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT. Paired t-test was used to examine the immediate effect, and both participants showed significant improvement with Albert's Test in immediate effect.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* patients with visual neglect after stroke
* right-handed
* medically stable
* no previous music therapy experiences
* no hearing impairments
* no cognitive deficits

Exclusion Criteria:

* hemianopia
* previous music therapy treatment experiences

Primary outcomes:
measure: Changes of Albert's Test between before and after the sessions
timeFrame: Albert's test was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.
measure: Changes of Line Bisection Test between before and after the sessions
timeFrame: Line Bisection was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: University of Toronto
name: Michael Thaut, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: