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Contemori G, Saccani MS, Bonato M. Cognitive-Cognitive Dual-task in aging: A cross-sectional online study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302152. [PMID: 38848421 PMCID: PMC11161073 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly dementia, is on the rise across many countries worldwide. This negative trend calls for improving our understanding of cognitive aging. While motor-cognitive dual-task approaches have already been proven valuable for clinical diagnosis, comparatively less research is available on the application of Cognitive-Cognitive Dual-Tasking (CCDT), across several cognitive domains. Moreover, there is limited understanding about how healthy aging affects performance in such dual-tasks in the general population. CCDT entails engaging individuals in multiple cognitive tasks simultaneously and holds promise for remote e-Health interventions. In this cross-sectional study, our objective was to evaluate the suitability of a newly developed, self-administered, online tool for examining age-related differences in memory performance under dual-tasking. 337 healthy adults aged 50-90 underwent a visual memory test (Memo) under both single and dual-task conditions (attend to auditory letters). Additional measures included questionnaires on subjective memory complaints (MAC-Q), on cognitive reserve (CR), and a cognitive screening (auto-GEMS). As expected, the accuracy of visual memory performance exhibited a negative correlation with age and MAC-Q, and a positive correlation with CR and auto-GEMS scores. Dual-tasking significantly impaired performance, and its detrimental effect decreased with increasing age. Furthermore, the protective effect of cognitive reserve diminished with advancing age. These findings suggest that the commonly observed age-related increase in dual-task costs is not universally applicable across all tasks and cognitive domains. With further refinement, a longitudinal implementation of this approach may assist in identifying individuals with a distinct cognitive trajectory and potentially at a higher risk of developing cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Contemori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Silvia Saccani
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Bonato
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, Padova, Italy
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2
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Terruzzi S, Albini F, Massetti G, Etzi R, Gallace A, Vallar G. The Neuropsychological Assessment of Unilateral Spatial Neglect Through Computerized and Virtual Reality Tools: A Scoping Review. Neuropsychol Rev 2024; 34:363-401. [PMID: 36913099 PMCID: PMC10009867 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-023-09586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Unilateral Spatial Neglect is a disabling neuropsychological deficit. Patients with spatial neglect fail to detect and report events, and to perform actions in the side of space contralateral to a hemispheric cerebral lesion. Neglect is assessed by evaluating the patients' abilities in daily life activities and by psychometric tests. Computer-based, portable and Virtual Reality technologies may provide more and precise data, and be more sensitive and informative, compared to current paper-and-pencil procedures. Studies since 2010, in which such technologies have been used, are reviewed. Forty-two articles meeting inclusion criteria are categorized according to their technological approaches (computer-, graphics tablet or tablet-, virtual reality-based assessment, and other). The results are promising. However, a definite golden standard, technologically based procedure cannot be still established. Developing technologically based tests is a laborious process, which requires technical and user experience improvements as well as normative data, to increase the evidence of efficacy for clinical evaluation of at least some of the tests considered in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Terruzzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan, 20126, Italy.
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
- Neurocognitive Rehabilitation Center (CeRiN), University of Trento, Rovereto, Italy.
| | - Federica Albini
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Gemma Massetti
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Etzi
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Gallace
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan, 20126, Italy
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vallar
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell'Ateneo Nuovo 1, Milan, 20126, Italy.
- Mind and Behavior Technological Center, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
- Neuropsychological Laboratory, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
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Romeo Z, Dolfi S, D'Amelio M, Mioni G. Duration, numerosity and length processing in healthy ageing and Parkinson's disease. Eur J Ageing 2024; 21:14. [PMID: 38656628 PMCID: PMC11043296 DOI: 10.1007/s10433-024-00807-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
People constantly process temporal, numerical, and length information in everyday activities and interactions with the environment. However, it is unclear whether quantity perception changes during ageing. Previous studies have provided heterogeneous results, sometimes showing an age-related effect on a particular quantity, and other times reporting no differences between young and elderly samples. However, three dimensions were never compared within the same study. Here, we conducted two experiments with the aim of investigating the processing of duration, numerosity and length in both healthy and pathological ageing. The experimental paradigm consisted of three bisection tasks in which participants were asked to judge whether the presented stimulus (i.e. a time interval, a group of dots, or a line) was more similar to the short/few or long/many standards. The first study recruited healthy young and elderly participants, while the second recruited healthy elderly participants and patients with Parkinson's disease, a clinical condition commonly associated with temporal impairments. The results of both experiments showed that discrimination precision differed between domains in all groups, with higher precision in the numerosity task and lower sensitivity in judging duration. Furthermore, while discrimination abilities were affected in healthy elderly and, even more so, in Parkinson's disease group, no domain-specific impairments emerged. According to our research, reduced discrimination precision might be explained by an alteration of a single system for all quantities or by an age-related general cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Romeo
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy.
| | - S Dolfi
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | | | - G Mioni
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia, 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.
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Uimonen J, Villarreal S, Laari S, Arola A, Ijäs P, Salmi J, Hietanen M. Virtual reality tasks with eye tracking for mild spatial neglect assessment: a pilot study with acute stroke patients. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1319944. [PMID: 38348259 PMCID: PMC10860750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1319944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Increasing evidence shows that traditional neuropsychological tests are insensitive for detecting mild unilateral spatial neglect (USN), lack ecological validity, and are unable to clarify USN in all different spatial domains. Here we present a new, fully immersive virtual reality (VR) task battery with integrated eye tracking for mild visual USN and extinction assessment in the acute state of stroke to overthrow these limitations. Methods We included 11 right-sided stroke patients and 10 healthy controls aged 18-75 years. Three VR tasks named the Extinction, the Storage and the Shoot the target tasks were developed to assess USN. Furthermore, neuropsychological assessment examining various parts of cognitive functioning was conducted to measure general abilities. We compared VR and neuropsychological task performance in stroke patients - those with (USN+, n = 5) and without USN (USN-, n = 6) - to healthy controls (n = 10) and tentatively reported the usability of VR system in the acute state of stroke. Results Patients had mostly mild neurological and USN symptoms. Nonetheless, we found several differences between the USN+ and healthy control groups in VR task performance. Compared to controls, USN+ patients showed visual extinction and asymmetry in gaze behavior and detection times in distinct spatial locations. Extinction was most evident in the extrapersonal space and delayed detection times on the extreme left and on the left upper parts. Also, USN+ patients needed more time to complete TMT A compared with USN- patients and TMT B compared with controls. VR system usability and acceptance were rated high; no relevant adverse effects occurred. Conclusion New VR technology with eye tracking enables ecologically valid and objective assessment methods with various exact measures for mild USN and thus could potentially improve future clinical assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Uimonen
- Department of Neuropsychology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Villarreal
- Department of Neuropsychology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Siiri Laari
- Department of Neuropsychology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne Arola
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra Ijäs
- Department of Neurology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Salmi
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Marja Hietanen
- Department of Neuropsychology, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Thomasson M, Perez-Marcos D, Crottaz-Herbette S, Brenet F, Saj A, Bernati T, Serino A, Tadi T, Blanke O, Ronchi R. An immersive virtual reality tool for assessing left and right unilateral spatial neglect. J Neuropsychol 2024. [PMID: 38225801 DOI: 10.1111/jnp.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
The reported rate of the occurrence of unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is highly variable likely due to the lack of validity and low sensitivity of classical tools used to assess it. Virtual reality (VR) assessments try to overcome these limitations by proposing immersive and complex environments. Nevertheless, existing VR-based tasks are mostly focused only on near space and lack analysis of psychometric properties and/or clinical validation. The present study evaluates the clinical validity and sensitivity of a new immersive VR-based task to assess USN in the extra-personal space and examines the neuronal correlates of deficits of far space exploration. The task was administrated to two groups of patients with right (N = 28) or left (N = 11) hemispheric brain lesions, also undergoing classical paper-and-pencil assessment, as well as a group of healthy participants. Our VR-based task detected 44% of neglect cases compared to 31% by paper-and-pencil tests in the total sample. Importantly, 30% of the patients (with right or left brain lesions) with no clear sign of USN on the paper-and-pencil tests performed outside the normal range in the VR-based task. Voxel lesion-symptom mapping revealed that deficits detected in VR were associated with lesions in insular and temporal cortex, part of the neural network involved in spatial processing. These results show that our immersive VR-based task is efficient and sensitive in detecting mild to strong manifestations of USN affecting the extra-personal space, which may be undetected using standard tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Thomasson
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Cognitive and Experimental Neuropsychology Laboratory, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Sonia Crottaz-Herbette
- MindMaze SA, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Neuropsychology and Neurorehabilitation Service, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Arnaud Saj
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- CRIR/Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
- Spectre Biotech, Paris, France
| | - Thérèse Bernati
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Serino
- MindMaze SA, Lausanne, Switzerland
- MySpace Lab, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute and Brain-Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tej Tadi
- MindMaze SA, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Olaf Blanke
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute and Brain-Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Neurosurgery, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Roberta Ronchi
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Cognition, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Neuro-X Institute and Brain-Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
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Schumacher R, Halai AD, Lambon Ralph MA. Attention to attention in aphasia - elucidating impairment patterns, modality differences and neural correlates. Neuropsychologia 2022; 177:108413. [PMID: 36336090 PMCID: PMC7614452 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly acknowledged that patients with aphasia following a left-hemisphere stroke often have difficulties in other cognitive domains. One of these domains is attention, the very fundamental ability to detect, select, and react to the abundance of stimuli present in the environment. Basic and more complex attentional functions are usually distinguished, and a variety of tests has been developed to assess attentional performance at a behavioural level. Attentional performance in aphasia has been investigated previously, but often only one specific task, stimulus modality, or type of measure was considered and usually only group-level analyses or data based on experimental tasks were presented. Also, information on brain-behaviour relationships for this cognitive domain and patient group is scarce. We report detailed analyses on a comprehensive dataset including patients' performance on various subtests of two well-known, standardised neuropsychological test batteries assessing attention. These tasks allowed us to explore: 1) how many patients show impaired performance in comparison to normative data, in which tasks and on what measure; 2) how the different tasks and measures relate to each other and to patients' language abilities; 3) the neural correlates associated with attentional performance. Up to 32 patients with varying aphasia severity were assessed with subtests from the Test of Attentional Performance (TAP) as well as the Test of Everyday Attention (TEA). Performance was compared to normative data, relationships between attention measures and other background data were explored with principal component analyses and correlations, and brain-behaviour relationships were assessed by means of voxel-based correlational methodology. Depending on the task and measure, between 3 and 53 percent of the patients showed impaired performance compared to normative data. The highest proportion of impaired performance was noted for complex attention tasks involving auditory stimuli. Patients differed in their patterns of performance and only the performance in the divided attention tests was (weakly) associated with their overall language impairment. Principal components analyses yielded four underlying factors, each being associated with distinct neural correlates. We thus extend previous research in characterizing different aspects of attentional performance within one sample of patients with chronic post stroke aphasia. Performance on a broad range of attention tasks and measures was variable and largely independent of patients' language abilities, which underlines the importance of assessing this cognitive domain in aphasic patients. Notably, a considerable proportion of patients showed difficulties with attention allocation to auditory stimuli. The reasons for these potentially modality-specific difficulties are currently not well understood and warrant additional investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Schumacher
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Ajay D Halai
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew A Lambon Ralph
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Knoppe K, Schlichting N, Schmidt-Wilcke T, Zimmermann E. Increased scene complexity during free visual exploration reveals residual unilateral neglect in recovered stroke patients. Neuropsychologia 2022; 177:108400. [PMID: 36374721 PMCID: PMC9760574 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2022.108400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Unilateral neglect is a common cognitive syndrome after stroke, which is defined as a spatially specific unawareness of the contralesional space. The syndrome is caused by disruptions of attentional networks in the brain, which impair the patients' ability to direct attention towards the contralesional space. During recovery, patients often learn to compensate by voluntarily directing their attention to the neglected side at the expense of cognitive resources. In this study, we examined the impact of the complexity of visual input on free visual exploration behavior of unilateral neglect and apparently recovered patients. We asked whether increasing scene complexity would allow the detection of residual unilateral neglect in recovered patients by increasing the amount of cognitive resources needed for visual processing and limiting capacities for compensation. Using virtual reality, we analyzed the spatial distribution of gaze of unilateral neglect patients, patients who had, according to conventional diagnostics, recovered from the syndrome, stroke patients with no history of unilateral neglect, and age-matched healthy controls. We manipulated the complexity of an immersive virtual scene presented on head mounted displays. We identified the orientation bias towards the ipsilesional side as a sensitive and specific marker of unilateral neglect, which was present in unilateral neglect and recovered patients but absent in stroke patients with no history of unilateral neglect and controls. Increasing scene complexity exacerbated the orientation shift in unilateral neglect patients and revealed that three out of nine (33%) recovered patients had a high probability of suffering from residual unilateral neglect as estimated by a generalized linear model using the median horizontal gaze position as a predictor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira Knoppe
- Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany,St Mauritius Therapieklinik, 40670, Meerbusch, Germany,Corresponding author. Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Nadine Schlichting
- Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmidt-Wilcke
- Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany,Neurocenter, District Hospital Mainkofen, Mainkofen A 3, 94469, Deggendorf, Germany,Institute for Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eckart Zimmermann
- Institute for Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Right Unilateral Spatial Neglect Improves with Intrinsic Motivation. Case Rep Neurol Med 2022; 2022:4828549. [PMID: 36340934 PMCID: PMC9633176 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4828549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. In the acute phase of stroke, it is well known that the incidence and severity of unilateral spatial neglect (USN) are more significant in the right hemisphere injuries. Still, the detection of USN in left hemisphere injuries has been increasing in recent years. This trend is because behavioral assessments have prevented the exclusion of patients who are difficult to assess for USN or apathy using conventional paper-and-pencil tests (e.g., aphasia). Right USN and post-stroke apathy share many common lesions. Therefore, clinical symptoms may overlap, but little validation considers this. Case Study. A man (62 years old) determined to have the right USN and apathy was treated for six weeks in 3 terms. In the first term (weeks 1 to 2), the patient was treated for the right USN by conventional therapy. In the second term (3–4 weeks), treatment for right USN and apathy by goal-directed therapy based on affinity behavior was implemented. In the third term (5–6 weeks), goal-directed therapy based on affinity behavior was discontinued, and treatment was returned to conventional therapy only. In the second term (goal-directed therapy based on affinity behavior), the improvement in patients' apathy (clinical assessment for spontaneity) was more significant than the effect size in the third term (conventional therapy). There were no significant differences in USN (catherine bergego scale) and intrinsic motivation (pittsburgh rehabilitation participation scale). However, the effect size in the second term tended to be larger than in the third term (conventional therapy). Clinical Rehabilitation Impact. This report aims to demonstrate the limitations of current treatment for cases determined to have both right USN and apathy. Second, to assess the extent to which this new intervention can complement the limitations of current treatment.
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Zhang N, Li C, Chen J, Liu X, Wang Z, Ni J. Research hotspots and frontiers about role of visual perception in stroke: A bibliometric study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:958875. [PMID: 36188385 PMCID: PMC9524359 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.958875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Visual perception is a dynamic process of perceiving the environment through sensory input and transforming sensory input into meaningful concepts related to environmental visual knowledge. Many studies focusing on the role of visual perception after stroke have been published in various journals. However, a bibliometric analysis in the domain of visual perception after stroke is still lacking. This study aimed to deliver a visual analysis to analyze the global trends in research on the role of visual perception after stroke in the last 10 years. Methods The literature was derived from the Web of Science core collection database from 2012 to 2021. The collected material was limited to English articles and reviews. CiteSpace and Microsoft Excel were used for bibliographic analysis. Results A total of 298 articles were included in the analysis. The annual number of publications increased from 23 to 42 in the last decade. Rehabilitation was the main research hotspot (n = 85). Journal of Physical Therapy Science published the largest number of papers (n = 14). The most influential author, institution, and country were Rowe FJ (n = 17), League of European Research Universities (n = 45), and England (n = 54), respectively. The keywords with the longest burst period are field defect, hemineglect, disorder, and quality of life. Conclusion This study analyzes the papers on the role of visual perception after stroke in the past 10 years and provides a new perspective for research in this field. At present, the number of articles in this field is not large and the cooperation network is not close enough. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the cooperation among various countries, institutions, and authors. In addition, large samples and randomized controlled trials are needed to identify the potential treatments and pathophysiology for visual perceptual impairment after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chong Li
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianmin Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiahua Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhiyong Wang
| | - Jun Ni
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Jun Ni
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Kaiser AP, Villadsen KW, Samani A, Knoche H, Evald L. Virtual Reality and Eye-Tracking Assessment, and Treatment of Unilateral Spatial Neglect: Systematic Review and Future Prospects. Front Psychol 2022; 13:787382. [PMID: 35391965 PMCID: PMC8982678 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.787382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a disorder characterized by the failure to report, respond to, or orient toward the contralateral side of space to a brain lesion. Current assessment methods often fail to discover milder forms, cannot differentiate between unilateral spatial neglect subtypes and lack ecological validity. There is also a need for treatment methods that target subtypes. Immersive virtual reality (VR) systems in combination with eye-tracking (ET) have the potential to overcome these shortcomings, by providing more naturalistic environments and tasks, with sensitive and detailed measures. This systematic review examines the state of the art of research on these technologies as applied in the assessment and treatment of USN. As we found no studies that combined immersive VR and ET, we reviewed these approaches individually. The review of VR included seven articles, the ET review twelve. The reviews revealed promising results. (1) All included studies found significant group-level differences for several USN measures. In addition, several studies found asymmetric behavior in VR and ET tasks for patients who did not show signs of USN in conventional tests. Particularly promising features were multitasking in complex VR environments and detailed eye-movement analysis. (2) No VR and only a few ET studies attempted to differentiate USN subtypes, although the technologies appeared appropriate. One ET study grouped USN participants using individual heatmaps, and another differentiated between subtypes on drawing tasks. Regarding (3) ecological validity, although no studies tested the prognostic validity of their assessment methods, VR and ET studies utilized naturalistic tasks and stimuli reflecting everyday situations. Technological characteristics, such as the field of view and refresh rate of the head-mounted displays, could be improved, though, to improve ecological validity. We found (4) no studies that utilized VR or ET technologies for USN treatment up until the search date of the 26th of February 2020. In conclusion, VR-ET-based systems show great potential for USN assessment. VR-ET holds great promise for treatment, for example, by monitoring behavior and adapting and tailoring to the individual person's needs and abilities. Future research should consider developing methods for individual subtypes and differential diagnostics to inform individual treatment programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Pilgaard Kaiser
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Hammel, Denmark,Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kristian Westergaard Villadsen
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Hammel, Denmark,Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Afshin Samani
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Knoche
- Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Lars Evald
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Hammel, Denmark,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,*Correspondence: Lars Evald,
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Villarreal S, Linnavuo M, Sepponen R, Vuori O, Bonato M, Jokinen H, Hietanen M. Computer-Based Assessment: Dual-Task Outperforms Large-Screen Cancellation Task in Detecting Contralesional Omissions. Front Psychol 2022; 12:790438. [PMID: 35069375 PMCID: PMC8777372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.790438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Traditionally, asymmetric spatial processing (i.e., hemispatial neglect) has been assessed with paper-and-pencil tasks, but growing evidence indicates that computer-based methods are a more sensitive assessment modality. It is not known, however, whether simply converting well-established paper-and-pencil methods into a digital format is the best option. The aim of the present study was to compare sensitivity in detecting contralesional omissions of two different computer-based methods: a "digitally converted" cancellation task was compared with a computer-based Visual and Auditory dual-tasking approach, which has already proved to be very sensitive. Methods: Participants included 40 patients with chronic unilateral stroke in either the right hemisphere (RH patients, N = 20) or the left hemisphere (LH patients, N = 20) and 20 age-matched healthy controls. The cancellation task was implemented on a very large format (173 cm × 277 cm) or in a smaller (A4) paper-and-pencil version. The computer-based dual-tasks were implemented on a 15'' monitor and required the detection of unilateral and bilateral briefly presented lateralized targets. Results: Neither version of the cancellation task was able to show spatial bias in RH patients. In contrast, in the Visual dual-task RH patients missed significantly more left-sided targets than controls in both unilateral and bilateral trials. They also missed significantly more left-sided than right-sided targets only in the bilateral trials of the Auditory dual-task. Conclusion: The dual-task setting outperforms the cancellation task approach even when the latter is implemented on a (large) screen. Attentionally demanding methods are useful for revealing mild forms of contralesional visuospatial deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Villarreal
- Division of Neuropsychology, HUH Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Matti Linnavuo
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Raimo Sepponen
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Outi Vuori
- Division of Neuropsychology, HUH Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mario Bonato
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Hanna Jokinen
- Division of Neuropsychology, HUH Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Marja Hietanen
- Division of Neuropsychology, HUH Neurocenter, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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12
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Hougaard BI, Knoche H, Jensen J, Evald L. Spatial Neglect Midline Diagnostics From Virtual Reality and Eye Tracking in a Free-Viewing Environment. Front Psychol 2021; 12:742445. [PMID: 34912268 PMCID: PMC8667868 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.742445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) and eye tracking may provide detailed insights into spatial cognition. We hypothesized that virtual reality and eye tracking may be used to assess sub-types of spatial neglect in stroke patients not readily available from conventional assessments. Method: Eighteen stroke patients with spatial neglect and 16 age and gender matched healthy subjects wearing VR headsets were asked to look around freely in a symmetric 3D museum scene with three pictures. Asymmetry of performance was analyzed to reveal group-level differences and possible neglect sub-types on an individual level. Results: Four out of six VR and eye tracking measures revealed significant differences between patients and controls in this free-viewing task. Gaze-asymmetry between-pictures (including fixation time and count) and head orientation were most sensitive to spatial neglect behavior on a group level analysis. Gaze-asymmetry and head orientation each identified 10 out of 18 (56%), compared to 12 out of 18 (67%) for the best conventional test. Two neglect patients without deviant performance on conventional measures were captured by the VR and eyetracking measures. On the individual level, five stroke patients revealed deviant gaze-asymmetry within-pictures and six patients revealed deviant eye orientation in either direction that were not captured by the group-level analysis. Conclusion: This study is a first step in using VR in combination with eye tracking measures as individual differential neglect subtype diagnostics. This may pave the way for more sensitive and elaborate sub-type diagnostics of spatial neglect that may respond differently to various treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian I Hougaard
- Department of Architecture and Media Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hendrik Knoche
- Department of Architecture and Media Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Lars Evald
- Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Hammel, Denmark
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13
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Williams LJ, Kernot J, Hillier SL, Loetscher T. Spatial Neglect Subtypes, Definitions and Assessment Tools: A Scoping Review. Front Neurol 2021; 12:742365. [PMID: 34899565 PMCID: PMC8653914 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.742365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to capture the reported definitions for the subtypes of neglect post stroke and map the range of assessment tools employed for each neglect subtype. Methods: EMBASE, Emcare, Medline, and psychINFO were searched from database inception. Searching included all allied terms and mesh headings for stroke, spatial neglect, measurement, screening tools, psychometric properties. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion. Primary studies with documented protocols of a spatial neglect tool for adults post stroke, with some aspect of validity or reliability were included. Two reviewers independently reviewed the documented protocols of each tool to determine the underlying subtypes and disagreements were resolved through discussion. Results: There were 371 articles included with 292 tools used for the screening or diagnosis of neglect. The majority of studies (67%) included a tool that did not specify the neglect subtype being assessed, therefore an analysis of the underlying subtypes for each tool is presented. Conclusions: There is no consistency with the terms used to refer to the syndrome of spatial neglect with over 200 different terms used within the included studies to refer to the syndrome as a whole or one of its subtypes. It is essential to unify the terminology and definition for each neglect subtype. There are hundreds of neglect tools available, however many are not able to differentiate presenting subtypes. It is important for clinicians and researchers to critically evaluate the neglect tools being used for the screening and diagnosis of neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindy J Williams
- Cognitive Aging and Impairment Neurosciences Lab, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Innovation IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jocelyn Kernot
- Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Susan L Hillier
- Innovation IMPlementation and Clinical Translation (IIMPACT) in Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tobias Loetscher
- Cognitive Aging and Impairment Neurosciences Lab, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Justice and Society, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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14
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Unilateral Stroke: Computer-based Assessment Uncovers Non-Lateralized and Contralesional Visuoattentive Deficits. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2021; 27:959-969. [PMID: 33551012 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617720001393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Patients with unilateral stroke commonly show hemispatial neglect or milder contralesional visuoattentive deficits, but spatially non-lateralized visuoattentive deficits have also been reported. The aim of the present study was to compare spatially lateralized (i.e., contralesional) and non-lateralized (i.e., general) visuoattentive deficits in left and right hemisphere stroke patients. METHOD Participants included 40 patients with chronic unilateral stroke in either the left hemisphere (LH group, n = 20) or the right hemisphere (RH group, n = 20) and 20 healthy controls. To assess the contralesional deficits, we used a traditional paper-and-pencil cancellation task (the Bells Test) and a Lateralized Targets Computer Task. To assess the non-lateralized deficits, we developed a novel large-screen (173 × 277 cm) computer method, the Ball Rain task, with moving visual stimuli and fast-paced requirements for selective attention. RESULTS There were no contralesional visuoattentive deficits according to the cancellation task. However, in the Lateralized Targets Computer Task, RH patients missed significantly more left-sided than right-sided targets in bilateral trials. This omission distribution differed significantly from those of the controls and LH patients. In the assessment of non-lateralized attention, RH and LH patients missed significantly more Ball Rain targets than controls in both the left and right hemifields. CONCLUSIONS Computer-based assessment sensitively reveals various aspects of visuoattentive deficits in unilateral stroke. Patients with either right or left hemisphere stroke demonstrate non-lateralized visual inattention. In right hemisphere stroke, these symptoms can be accompanied by subtle contralesional visuoattentive deficits that have remained unnoticed in cancellation task.
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15
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de la Piedra Walter M, Notbohm A, Eling P, Hildebrandt H. Audiospatial evoked potentials for the assessment of spatial attention deficits in patients with severe cerebrovascular accidents. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2021; 43:623-636. [PMID: 34592915 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2021.1984397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropsychological assessment of spatial orientation in post-acute patients with large brain lesions is often limited due to additional cognitive disorders like aphasia, apraxia, or reduced responsiveness. METHODS To cope with these limitations, we developed a paradigm using passive audiospatial event-related potentials (pAERPs): Participants were requested to merely listen over headphones to horizontally moving tones followed by a short tone ("target"), presented either on the side to which the cue moved or on the opposite side. Two runs of 120 trials were presented and we registered AERPs with two electrodes, mounted at C3 and C4. Nine sub-acute patients with large left hemisphere (LH) or right hemisphere (RH) lesions and nine controls participated. RESULTS Patients had no problems completing the assessment. RH patients showed a reduced N100 for left-sided targets in all conditions. LH patients showed a diminished N100 for invalid trials and contralesional targets. CONCLUSION Measuring AERPs for moving auditory cues and with two electrodes allows investigating spatial attentional deficits in patients with large RH and LH lesions, who are often unable to perform clinical tests. Our procedure can be implemented easily in an acute and rehabilitation setting and might enable investigating spatial attentional processes even in patients with minimal conscious awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Annika Notbohm
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Bremen-Ost, Bremen, Germany
| | - Paul Eling
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Helmut Hildebrandt
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum Bremen-Ost, Bremen, Germany.,Institute of Psychology, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
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16
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D'Imperio D, Romeo Z, Maistrello L, Durgoni E, Della Pietà C, De Filippo De Grazia M, Meneghello F, Turolla A, Zorzi M. Sensorimotor, Attentional, and Neuroanatomical Predictors of Upper Limb Motor Deficits and Rehabilitation Outcome after Stroke. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:8845685. [PMID: 33868400 PMCID: PMC8035034 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8845685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The rehabilitation of motor deficits following stroke relies on both sensorimotor and cognitive abilities, thereby involving large-scale brain networks. However, few studies have investigated the integration between motor and cognitive domains, as well as its neuroanatomical basis. In this retrospective study, upper limb motor responsiveness to technology-based rehabilitation was examined in a sample of 29 stroke patients (18 with right and 11 with left brain damage). Pretreatment sensorimotor and attentional abilities were found to influence motor recovery. Training responsiveness increased as a function of the severity of motor deficits, whereas spared attentional abilities, especially visuospatial attention, supported motor improvements. Neuroanatomical analysis of structural lesions and white matter disconnections showed that the poststroke motor performance was associated with putamen, insula, corticospinal tract, and frontoparietal connectivity. Motor rehabilitation outcome was mainly associated with the superior longitudinal fasciculus and partial involvement of the corpus callosum. The latter findings support the hypothesis that motor recovery engages large-scale brain networks that involve cognitive abilities and provides insight into stroke rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Zorzi
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy
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17
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Romeo Z, Mantini D, Durgoni E, Passarini L, Meneghello F, Zorzi M. Electrophysiological signatures of resting state networks predict cognitive deficits in stroke. Cortex 2021; 138:59-71. [PMID: 33677328 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2021.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Localized damage to different brain regions can cause specific cognitive deficits. However, stroke lesions can also induce modifications in the functional connectivity of intrinsic brain networks, which could be responsible for the behavioral impairment. Though resting state networks (RSNs) are typically mapped using fMRI, it has been recently shown that they can also be detected from high-density EEG. We build on a state-of-the-art approach to extract RSNs from 64-channels EEG activity in a group of right stroke patients and to identify neural predictors of their cognitive performance. Fourteen RSNs previously found in fMRI and high-density EEG studies on healthy participants were successfully reconstructed from our patients' EEG recordings. We then correlated EEG-RSNs functional connectivity with neuropsychological scores, first considering a wide frequency band (1-80 Hz) and then specific frequency ranges in order to examine the association between each EEG rhythm and the behavioral impairment. We found that visuo-spatial and motor impairments were primarily associated with the dorsal attention network, with contribution dependent on the specific EEG band. These findings are in line with the hypothesis that there is a core system of brain networks involved in specific cognitive domains. Moreover, our results pave the way for low-cost EEG-based monitoring of intrinsic brain networks' functioning in neurological patients to complement clinical-behavioral measures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dante Mantini
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy; Laboratory of Movement Control and Neuroplasticity, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Marco Zorzi
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy; Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy.
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18
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Embrechts E, Van Criekinge T, Schröder J, Nijboer T, Lafosse C, Truijen S, Saeys W. The association between visuospatial neglect and balance and mobility post-stroke onset: A systematic review. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2020; 64:101449. [PMID: 33152521 DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although previous narrative reviews have highlighted a potential association between visuospatial neglect (VSN) and balance disorders, to what extent different areas of balance and mobility could be affected is still unclear. OBJECTIVES This systematic review updates previous literature findings and systematically reviews sitting balance, standing balance and mobility outcomes. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Naric-Rehabdata, PEDro and the Cochrane Trials Library were systematically searched. Methodological quality was assessed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. The association between VSN and sitting balance, standing balance and mobility (walking, stair climbing/descending and transfers) was investigated. RESULTS In total, 48 studies were included (4595 stroke survivors): at least 1319 (29%) showed symptoms of VSN. VSN was associated with less independence during sitting, with an asymmetric posture toward the affected body side. For standing balance, we revealed a significant negative association between VSN and mediolateral stability and weight shifting, whereas only activities of daily living-related VSN was associated with weight-bearing asymmetry during static stance. While walking, patients with VSN laterally deviated from their path. Results were inconclusive regarding other aspects of mobility. The association between VSN and balance/mobility seemed to decrease over time. CONCLUSIONS Despite great heterogeneity in results, this study suggests that stroke survivors with VSN show specific deviations in posture and movement in the mediolateral direction. Although the association between VSN and balance/mobility has been extensively investigated, explanatory studies evaluating underlying mechanisms of the frequently present association are lacking. Future studies should address this by combining clinical and instrumented assessment of balance and gait performance, preferably longitudinally to investigate the associations over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissa Embrechts
- Research group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Tamaya Van Criekinge
- Research group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Jonas Schröder
- Research group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Tanja Nijboer
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Christophe Lafosse
- Department of Neurorehabilitation, RevArte Rehabilitation Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Steven Truijen
- Research group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Wim Saeys
- Research group MOVANT, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences & Physiotherapy, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Neurorehabilitation, RevArte Rehabilitation Hospital, Edegem, Belgium
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19
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Ten Brink AF, Elshout J, Nijboer TCW, Van der Stigchel S. How does the number of targets affect visual search performance in visuospatial neglect? J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2020; 42:1010-1027. [PMID: 33148120 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2020.1840520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Impairments in visual search are a common symptom in visuospatial neglect (VSN). The severity of the lateralized attention bias in visual search tasks can vary depending on the number of distractors: the more distractors, the more targets are missed. However, little is known about how the number of targets affect search performance in VSN. The aim of the current study was to examine the effect of the number of targets on hit rate in VSN. METHODS We included 23 stroke patients with right-brain damage and VSN, 55 with right-brain damage without VSN, and 49 with left-brain damage without VSN, all admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. In a visual search task, patients had to find and tap targets, presented along with non-targets. The location and number of targets varied from trial to trial, allowing the evaluation of the effects of number and location of targets on hit rate. RESULTS VSN patients detected a lower percentage of targets when more targets were present. For patients with right-brain damage without VSN, adding targets only reduced the hit rate of the most contralesional target. No effect of number of targets on hit rate was seen in patients with left-brain damage. Additionally, VSN patients found less contralesional targets than ipsilesional targets, made more delayed revisits, and had an initial rightward bias when compared to the other groups. There were no differences in search time, search consistency, or immediate revisits between groups. There was a moderate positive relation between the hit rate asymmetry score in our search task and conventional paper-and-pencil VSN tasks, and neglect behavior in daily life. CONCLUSIONS In VSN patients, a higher number of targets reduces the hit rate. The reduced hit rate in visual search evoked by additional targets should be taken into account when assessing visual search in VSN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia F Ten Brink
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath , Bath, UK.,Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joris Elshout
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja C W Nijboer
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Centre of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine Utrecht, UMC Utrecht Brain Centre, University Medical Centre Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation , Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Stefan Van der Stigchel
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University , Utrecht, The Netherlands
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20
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Both clinically observable and subclinical hemispatial neglect are related to functional disability. The aim of the present study was to examine whether increasing task complexity improves sensitivity in assessment and whether it enables the identification of subclinical neglect. METHOD We developed and compared two computerized dual-tasks, a simpler and a more complex one, and presented them on a large, 173 × 277 cm screen. Participants in the study included 40 patients with unilateral stroke in either the left hemisphere (LH patient group, n = 20) or the right hemisphere (RH patient group, n = 20) and 20 healthy controls. In addition to the large-screen tasks, all participants underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. The Bells Test was used as a traditional paper-and-pencil cancellation test to assess neglect. RESULTS RH patients made significantly more left hemifield omission errors than controls in both large-screen tasks. LH patients' omissions did not differ significantly from those of the controls in either large-screen task. No significant group differences were observed in the Bells Test. All groups' reaction times were significantly slower in the more complex large-screen task compared to the simpler one. The more complex large-screen task also produced significantly slower reactions to stimuli in the left than in the right hemifield in all groups. CONCLUSIONS The present results suggest that dual-tasks presented on a large screen sensitively reveal subclinical neglect in stroke. New, sensitive, and ecologically valid methods are needed to evaluate subclinical neglect.
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21
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Spreij LA, Ten Brink AF, Visser-Meily JM, Nijboer TC. Increasing cognitive demand in assessments of visuo-spatial neglect: Testing the concepts of static and dynamic tests. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2020; 42:675-689. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2020.1798881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauriane A. Spreij
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Antonia F. Ten Brink
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
- De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Johanna M.A. Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Tanja C.W. Nijboer
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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22
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Làdavas E, Tosatto L, Bertini C. Behavioural and functional changes in neglect after multisensory stimulation. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2020; 32:662-689. [DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2020.1786411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Làdavas
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Caterina Bertini
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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23
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Romeo Z, Bonato M, Zorzi M, Spironelli C. Electrophysiological correlates of spatial processing during multitasking. Neuropsychologia 2019; 133:107152. [PMID: 31376427 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Multitasking is ubiquitous in everyday life. It can have a detrimental effect on several cognitive abilities including spatial processing in both brain-damaged and healthy participants. The present study investigated, in healthy adults, the electrophysiological mechanisms associated with correct detection vs. misdetection of peripheral visual target(s) while processing concurrent visual or auditory stimuli. Correct responses were coupled with increased N1 amplitude under visual (i.e., intra-modal) load but not under auditory (i.e., cross-modal) load. Under visual load, error responses were associated to opposite patterns on N1/N2 components for unilateral and bilateral stimuli. In particular, errors were marked by significantly reduced N1 and N2 amplitude for the left and right visual field, respectively, whereas higher N1 amplitude was found for errors to bilateral targets. This suggests that early negative components represent the biological marker of target awareness under visual load, whereby correct target detection is grounded on a threshold criterion. These results provide an electrophysiological correlate for the allocation of capacity-limited cognitive resources during the concurrent processing of multiple and heterogeneous visual stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario Bonato
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Zorzi
- IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy; Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Chiara Spironelli
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy.
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24
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Colombo P, Taveggia G, Chiesa D, Penati R, Tiboni M, De Armas L, Casale R. Lower Tinetti scores can support an early diagnosis of spatial neglect in post-stroke patients. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2019; 55:722-727. [PMID: 31274273 DOI: 10.23736/s1973-9087.19.05448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neglect represents a severe complication of stroke, which impairs patients' daily activities. An early diagnosis of neglect is fundamental for management decisions. AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the Tinetti Test as an outcome of spatial neglect in post-stroke patients. DESIGN Observational retrospective data analysis. SETTING Rehabilitation Hospital. POPULATION Cohort of post-stroke adults admitted in our Rehabilitation Unit. METHODS One hundred and sixty stroke patients were evaluated between the 1st of January 2015 and the 31st of December 2016 at our Department. Eighty-nine inpatients matched the inclusion criteria. Their scores of the Tinetti Test for balance condition and gait function were compared with Bells Test and line bisection task for spatial neglect. Global independence activity was also assessed using Barthel Index and global cognitive functioning by means of the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS Twenty-two patients between the 89 patients included in this study were affected by spatial neglect at admission. A high statistical significant correlation was observed between lower Tinetti scores and neglect presence (mean Tinetti Score: 2.36 neglect; 7.82 non-neglect; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The Tinetti Test is a well-established assessment scale to measure balance ability and gait function in post-stroke patients. Results from this study suggest that Tinetti Test may be considered as an early ecological screening tool for the diagnosis of neglect in post-stroke patients. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT The alternative use of the Tinetti Test for the diagnosis of spatial neglect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Colombo
- Unit of Rehabilitation, Faccanoni Hospital, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Taveggia
- Unit of Rehabilitation, Faccanoni Hospital, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Deborah Chiesa
- Unit of Rehabilitation, Faccanoni Hospital, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy -
| | - Rachele Penati
- Department of Clinical-Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Monica Tiboni
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Liala De Armas
- Unit of Rehabilitation, Faccanoni Hospital, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Sarnico, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Roberto Casale
- Istituto di Neuroriabilitazione ad Alta Complessità, Habilita Care&Research Hospitals, Zingonia di Ciserano, Bergamo, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuropsychological studies suggest that the ability to compensate for the presence of spatial neglect highly depends on the attentional resources a patient can rely on. The present research aimed to study neglect in situations where attentional resources are limited due to multitasking. METHOD We examined two patients more than 3 years after a right-hemispheric stroke. Both had received neuropsychological rehabilitation for left neglect and did not show any impairment in standard tests. We used a dual-task paradigm combining a peripheral target detection task with a central shape recognition task. Peripheral targets could appear in left/right positions but also in lower/upper positions. RESULTS In patient #1, dual-task condition exacerbated left neglect and extinction. Patient #2 did not show any sign of neglect along the horizontal axis, but omitted half of the lower targets when they were presented simultaneously with upper targets under dual-task condition. This behavior reflects altitudinal extinction as the detection of single targets appearing either in upper or lower position was preserved. CONCLUSION The present findings show that dual-tasking is a sensitive tool for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of spatial attention deficits, which are often overlooked by standard methods, especially in chronic stage. (JINS, 2019, 25, 644-653).
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Crottaz-Herbette S, Tissieres I, Fornari E, Rapin PA, Clarke S. Remodelling the attentional system after left hemispheric stroke: Effect of leftward prismatic adaptation. Cortex 2019; 115:43-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Bonato M, Romeo Z, Blini E, Pitteri M, Durgoni E, Passarini L, Meneghello F, Zorzi M. Ipsilesional Impairments of Visual Awareness After Right-Hemispheric Stroke. Front Psychol 2019; 10:697. [PMID: 31024378 PMCID: PMC6465520 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Unilateral brain damage following stroke frequently hampers the processing of contralesional space. Whether and how it also affects the processing of stimuli appearing on the same side of the lesion is still poorly understood. Three main alternative hypotheses have been proposed, namely that ipsilesional processing is functionally (i) hyperefficient, (ii) impaired, or (iii) spared. Here, we investigated ipsilesional space awareness through a computerized paradigm that exploits a manipulation of concurrent information processing demands (i.e., multitasking). Twelve chronic right-hemisphere stroke patients with a total lack of awareness for the contralesional side of space were administered a task that required the spatial monitoring of two locations within the ipsilesional hemispace. Targets were presented immediately to the right of a central fixation point (3° eccentricity), or farther to the right toward the screen edge (17° eccentricity), or on both locations. Response to target position occurred either in isolation or while performing a concurrent visual or auditory task. Results showed that most errors occurred when two targets were simultaneously presented and patients were faced with additional task demands (in the visual or auditory modalities). In the context of concurrent visual load, ipsilesional targets presented at the rightmost location were omitted more frequently than those presented closer to fixation. This pattern qualifies ipsilesional processing in right-hemisphere stroke patients as functionally impaired, arguing against the notion of ipsilesional hyperperformance, especially when under visual load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Bonato
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Elvio Blini
- Integrative Multisensory Perception Action and Cognition Team, University Claude Bernard of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Marco Pitteri
- Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Marco Zorzi
- Department of General Psychology and Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy
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Demeyere N, Gillebert CR. Ego- and allocentric visuospatial neglect: Dissociations, prevalence, and laterality in acute stroke. Neuropsychology 2019; 33:490-498. [PMID: 30896236 PMCID: PMC6487998 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Visuospatial neglect, whereby patients are unable to attend to stimuli on their contralesional side, is a neuropsychological condition commonly experienced after stroke. We aimed to investigate whether egocentric and allocentric neglect are functionally dissociable and differ in prevalence and laterality in the early poststroke period. METHOD A consecutive sample of 366 acute stroke patients completed the Broken Hearts test from the Oxford Cognitive Screen. We evaluated the association between egocentric and allocentric neglect and contrasted the prevalence and severity of left-sided versus right-sided neglect. RESULTS Clinically, we found a double dissociation between ego- and allocentric neglect, with 50% of the neglect patients showing only egocentric neglect and 25% only allocentric neglect. Left-sided egocentric neglect was more prevalent and more severe than was right-sided egocentric neglect, though right-sided neglect was still highly prevalent in the acute stroke sample (35%). Left-sided allocentric neglect was more severe but not more prevalent than was right-sided allocentric neglect. At 6 months, in a representative subsample of 160 patients, we found neglect recovery rates to be 81% and 74% for egocentric and allocentric neglect, respectively. CONCLUSION Dissociable ego- and allocentric neglect symptoms support a heterogeneous account of visuospatial neglect, which was shown to be highly prevalent for both the left and the right hemifields. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Pitteri M, Chen P, Passarini L, Albanese S, Meneghello F, Barrett AM. Conventional and functional assessment of spatial neglect: Clinical practice suggestions. Neuropsychology 2018; 32:835-842. [PMID: 29975073 PMCID: PMC6188804 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spatial neglect (SN) constitutes a substantial barrier to functional recovery after acquired brain injury. However, because of its multimodal nature, no single test can capture all the signs of SN. To provide a clinically feasible solution, we used conventional neuropsychological tests as well as the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) via the Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP). The goal was to add evidence that a global approach should detect better even subtle signs of SN. METHOD Fourteen individuals with lesions located in the right cerebral hemisphere participated in the study. Participants were assessed with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests, comprising a set of visuospatial tests to evaluate several spatial domains. In addition, patients underwent functional assessment with the Barthel Index, the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the CBS via KF-NAP. RESULTS The CBS via KF-NAP was associated with the visuospatial paper-based tests (p = .004) as well as the Motor FIM (p = .003), and was more sensitive than the Behavioral Inattention Test-Conventional in detecting SN (p = .014). CONCLUSIONS We showed that the CBS via KF-NAP was able: (a) to detect functional impairment, especially motor, related to SN; (b) to selectively measures spatial rather than nonspatial dysfunctions; and (c) to be highly sensitive in detecting SN signs especially in those patients with mild severity, covering several aspects of SN manifestations. The patient's SN diagnosis based on the CBS via KF-NAP is clinically important and directly relevant to care planning and goal setting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pitteri
- Neurology Section, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona
| | | | - Laura Passarini
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital Foundation
| | - Silvia Albanese
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital Foundation
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Martin K, Trauner DA. Auditory neglect in children following perinatal stroke. Behav Brain Res 2018; 359:878-885. [PMID: 29953906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Auditory neglect has been found in adults with right hemisphere focal brain lesions following strokes. Visual and tactile neglect has been found in children following both left and right hemisphere lesions resulting from perinatal strokes. The present cross-sectional study assessed auditory neglect in children with early unilateral brain damage from perinatal stroke. Twenty-six children with perinatal stroke and matched controls participated. All were asked to identify the location of a pure tone presented in left or right auditory fields. We found that children who had experienced left hemisphere perinatal strokes were significantly better at localizing sounds on the left side of space than the right side of space, and that response times improved with age on a normal trajectory relative to controls in left hemispace, while they did not improve normally in right hemispace. Children with right hemisphere perinatal strokes were significantly worse at localizing sounds on the right side of space relative to typically developing controls, and did not follow control trajectories for improvement in response times on the left or the right sides of space. Our preliminary results suggest that left hemisphere perinatal strokes may result in contralateral auditory neglect, while right hemisphere perinatal strokes may result in bilateral auditory neglect. Neglect was more severe in children with parietal lobe involvement, suggesting that the parietal lobe may play a dominant role in auditory attention in the developing brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Martin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0935, USA
| | - Doris A Trauner
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0935, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0935, USA.
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31
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Ten Brink AF, Biesbroek JM, Oort Q, Visser-Meily JMA, Nijboer TCW. Peripersonal and extrapersonal visuospatial neglect in different frames of reference: A brain lesion-symptom mapping study. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:504-515. [PMID: 29940260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Visuospatial neglect can occur in peripersonal and extrapersonal space. The dorsal visual pathway is hypothesized to be associated with peripersonal, and the ventral pathway with extrapersonal neglect. We aimed to evaluate neural substrates of peripersonal versus extrapersonal neglect, separately for egocentric and allocentric frames of reference. METHODS This was a retrospective study, including stroke patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation. Approximately 1 month post-stroke onset, computerized cancellation (egocentric) and bisection tasks (egocentric and allocentric) were administered at 30 cm and 120 cm. We collected CT or MRI scans and performed voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping for the cancellation, and subtraction analyses for the line bisection task. RESULTS We included 98 patients for the cancellation and 129 for the bisection analyses. The right parahippocampal gyrus, hippocampus, and thalamus were associated with egocentric peripersonal neglect as measured with cancellation. These areas were also associated with extrapersonal neglect, together with the right superior parietal lobule, angular gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, planum temporale and superior temporal gyrus. Lesions in the right parietal, temporal and frontal areas were associated with both peripersonal and extrapersonal egocentric neglect as measured with bisection. For allocentric neglect no clear pattern of associated brain regions was observed. DISCUSSION We found right hemispheric anatomical correlates for peripersonal and extrapersonal neglect. However, no brain areas were uniquely associated with peripersonal neglect, meaning we could not conclusively verify the ventral/dorsal hypothesis. Several areas were uniquely associated with egocentric extrapersonal neglect, suggesting that these brain areas can be specifically involved in extrapersonal, but not in peripersonal, attention processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia F Ten Brink
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J Matthijs Biesbroek
- Department of Neurology, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Quirien Oort
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M A Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja C W Nijboer
- Center of Excellence in Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Naert L, Bonato M, Fias W. Asymmetric Spatial Processing Under Cognitive Load. Front Psychol 2018; 9:583. [PMID: 29740371 PMCID: PMC5924786 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial attention allows us to selectively process information within a certain location in space. Despite the vast literature on spatial attention, the effect of cognitive load on spatial processing is still not fully understood. In this study we added cognitive load to a spatial processing task, so as to see whether it would differentially impact upon the processing of visual information in the left versus the right hemispace. The main paradigm consisted of a detection task that was performed during the maintenance interval of a verbal working memory task. We found that increasing cognitive working memory load had a more negative impact on detecting targets presented on the left side compared to those on the right side. The strength of the load effect correlated with the strength of the interaction on an individual level. The implications of an asymmetric attentional bias with a relative disadvantage for the left (vs the right) hemispace under high verbal working memory (WM) load are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Naert
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mario Bonato
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Wim Fias
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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33
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EEG-based neglect assessment: A feasibility study. J Neurosci Methods 2018; 303:169-177. [PMID: 29614297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2018.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spatial neglect (SN) is a neuropsychological syndrome that impairs automatic attention orienting to stimuli in the contralesional visual space of stroke patients. SN is commonly assessed using paper and pencil tests. Recently, computerized tests have been proposed to provide a dynamic assessment of SN. However, both paper- and computer-based methods have limitations. NEW METHOD Electroencephalography (EEG) shows promise for overcoming the limitations of current assessment methods. The aim of this work is to introduce an objective passive BCI system that records EEG signals in response to visual stimuli appearing in random locations on a screen with a dynamically changing background. Our preliminary experimental studies focused on validating the system using healthy participants with intact brains rather than employing it initially in more complex environments with patients having cortical lesions. Therefore, we designed a version of the test in which we simulated SN by hiding target stimuli appearing on the left side of the screen so that the subject's attention is shifted to the right side. RESULTS Results showed that there are statistically significant differences between EEG responses due to right and left side stimuli reflecting different processing and attention levels towards both sides of the screen. The system achieved average accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 74.24%, 75.17% and 71.36% respectively. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS The proposed test can examine both presence and severity of SN, unlike traditional paper and pencil tests and computer-based methods. CONCLUSIONS The proposed test is a promising objective SN evaluation method.
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Ogourtsova T, Archambault P, Sangani S, Lamontagne A. Ecological Virtual Reality Evaluation of Neglect Symptoms (EVENS): Effects of Virtual Scene Complexity in the Assessment of Poststroke Unilateral Spatial Neglect. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2018; 32:46-61. [DOI: 10.1177/1545968317751677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background. Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is a highly prevalent and disabling poststroke impairment. USN is traditionally assessed with paper-and-pencil tests that lack ecological validity, generalization to real-life situations and are easily compensated for in chronic stages. Virtual reality (VR) can, however, counteract these limitations. Objective. We aimed to examine the feasibility of a novel assessment of USN symptoms in a functional shopping activity, the Ecological VR-based Evaluation of Neglect Symptoms (EVENS). Methods. EVENS is immersive and consists of simple and complex 3-dimensional scenes depicting grocery shopping shelves, where joystick-based object detection and navigation tasks are performed while seated. Effects of virtual scene complexity on navigational and detection abilities in patients with (USN+, n = 12) and without (USN−, n = 15) USN following a right hemisphere stroke and in age-matched healthy controls (HC, n = 9) were determined. Results. Longer detection times, larger mediolateral deviations from ideal paths and longer navigation times were found in USN+ versus USN− and HC groups, particularly in the complex scene. EVENS detected lateralized and nonlateralized USN-related deficits, performance alterations that were dependent or independent of USN severity, and performance alterations in 3 USN− subjects versus HC. Conclusion. EVENS’ environmental changing complexity, along with the functional tasks of far space detection and navigation can potentially be clinically relevant and warrant further empirical investigation. Findings are discussed in terms of attentional models, lateralized versus nonlateralized deficits in USN, and tasks-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Ogourtsova
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Archambault
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Samir Sangani
- Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anouk Lamontagne
- McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, Laval, Quebec, Canada
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Grech M, Stuart T, Williams L, Chen C, Loetscher T. The Mobility Assessment Course for the Diagnosis of Spatial Neglect: Taking a Step Forward? Front Neurol 2017; 8:563. [PMID: 29163331 PMCID: PMC5671563 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2017.00563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial neglect after stroke can be a challenging syndrome to diagnose under standard neuropsychological assessment. There is now sufficient evidence that those affected might demonstrate neglect behavior in everyday settings despite showing no signs of neglect during common neglect tasks. This discrepancy is attributed to the simplified and unrealistic nature of common pen and paper based tasks that do not match the demanding, novel, and complex environment of everyday life. As such, increasing task demands under more ecologically valid scenarios has become an important method of increasing test sensitivity. The main aim of the current study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the Mobility Assessment Course (MAC), an ecological task, for the assessment of neglect. If neglect becomes more apparent under more challenging task demands the MAC could prove to be more diagnostically accurate at detecting neglect than conventional methods, particularly as the time from initial brain damage increases. Data collected by Guide Dogs of SA/NT were retrospectively analyzed. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, a measure of sensitivity and specificity, was used to investigate the diagnostic utility of the MAC and a series of paper and pencil tests in 67 right hemisphere stroke survivors. While the MAC proved to be a more sensitive neglect test (74.2%) when compared to the Star Cancellation (43.3%) and Line Bisection (35.7%) tests, this was at the expense of relatively low specificity. As a result, the ROC curve analysis showed no statistically discernable differences between tasks (p > 0.12), or between subacute and chronic groups for individual tasks (p > 0.45). It is concluded that, while the MAC is an ecologically valid alternative for assessing neglect, regarding its diagnostic accuracy, there is currently not enough evidence to suggest that it is a big step forward in comparison to the accuracy of conventional tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Grech
- School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Lindy Williams
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Celia Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tobias Loetscher
- School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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36
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Grattan ES, Woodbury ML. Do Neglect Assessments Detect Neglect Differently? Am J Occup Ther 2017; 71:7103190050p1-7103190050p9. [PMID: 28422631 DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2017.025015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We determined whether various assessment tools detect neglect differently by administering a battery of assessments to people with stroke. METHOD We conducted a case series study and administered five neglect assessments (paper-and-pencil, functional, virtual reality) to participants poststroke. RESULTS Twelve participants (6 men, 6 women) with stroke completed the assessment battery, which required approximately 2 hr to administer (over one to two sessions). All participants demonstrated neglect on three or more assessments. Functional assessments and the virtual reality assessment detected neglect more frequently than the paper-and-pencil assessments. Participants performed differently on the paper-and-pencil assessments and functional assessments. CONCLUSION Because neglect is complex, detection may depend largely on the assessment administered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Grattan
- Emily S. Grattan, PhD, OTR/L, is Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Health Science and Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston;
| | - Michelle L Woodbury
- Michelle L. Woodbury, PhD, OTR/L, is Associate Professor, Department of Health Science and Research, Division of Occupational Therapy, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, and Research Health Scientist, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC
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37
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Ten Brink AF, Visser-Meily JMA, Nijboer TCW. Dynamic assessment of visual neglect: The Mobility Assessment Course as a diagnostic tool. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2017; 40:161-172. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2017.1324562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonia F. Ten Brink
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus,University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johanna M. A. Visser-Meily
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus,University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science & Sports, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tanja C. W. Nijboer
- Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus,University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Helmholtz Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Vizzari V, Barba S, Gindri P, Duca S, Giobbe D, Cerrato P, Geminiani G, Torta DM. Mechanical pinprick pain in patients with unilateral spatial neglect: The influence of space representation on the perception of nociceptive stimuli. Eur J Pain 2016; 21:738-749. [PMID: 27977072 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Crossing the hands over the midline can reduce the perceived intensity of nociceptive stimuli applied onto the hands. It remains unclear to what extent intact representation of peripersonal space influences this effect. Here we used the crossed-hands paradigm in patients with unilateral spatial neglect, a neuropsychological condition characterized by the inability to detect, attend and respond to contralesional (most often left) stimuli, and spared ability to process stimuli in the non-affected space. METHODS Sixteen post-stroke patients without unilateral neglect and 11 patients with unilateral spatial neglect received punctate mechanical pinprick stimuli onto their crossed or uncrossed hands. We tested: (i) whether deficits in space representation reduce the possibility of observing 'crossed-hands analgesia', and; (ii) whether placing the contralesional hand, normally lying in the affected space in the healthy space would increase the number of detected stimuli. RESULTS Our results showed that neglect patients did not exhibit 'crossed-hands' analgesia, but did not provide strong evidence for an improvement in the number of detected stimuli when the contralesional hand was in the healthy space. CONCLUSION These findings uphold the notion that the perception of nociceptive stimuli is modulated by the relative position of the hands in space, but raise questions about the conditions under which these effects may arise. SIGNIFICANCE We show that deficits in space representation can influence the processing of mechanical pinprick stimuli. Our results raise several questions on the mechanisms underlying these effects, which are relevant for the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Vizzari
- Department of Psychology, Universita' degli studi di Torino, Italy
| | - S Barba
- San Camillo Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - P Gindri
- San Camillo Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - S Duca
- Koelliker Hospital, Torino, Italy
| | - D Giobbe
- Division of Neurology, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - P Cerrato
- Stroke Unit, Division of Neurology, Citta della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - G Geminiani
- Department of Psychology, Universita' degli studi di Torino, Italy
| | - D M Torta
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
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Spatial and non-spatial aspects of visual attention: Interactive cognitive mechanisms and neural underpinnings. Neuropsychologia 2016; 92:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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40
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Visual neglect after left-hemispheric lesions: a voxel-based lesion–symptom mapping study in 121 acute stroke patients. Exp Brain Res 2016; 235:83-95. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-016-4771-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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