RecruitingInterventional

EyeFocus: Testing an app for improving attention in brain injury survivors

The EyeFocus study is looking at a new app that aims to help stroke survivors who have difficulty paying attention, a problem often called 'neglect'. This happens when someone struggles to notice things on one side of their body after a brain injury. The study wants to see if using the EyeFocus app with a therapist in a hospital is practical and helpful for people who have had a stroke and have neglect. Participants will use the app for 30 minutes a day for 5 days over a week. While there's no guarantee of personal benefit, taking part will help doctors understand more about future treatments for stroke survivors. There are no known risks involved in this study.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of East Anglia

Enrolment target

Start

04 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2026

Specialty: Stroke, Primary sub-specialty: Rehabilitation; Health Category: Neurological, Stroke; Disease/Condition: Cerebrovascular diseases

What is this study about?

When someone has had a stroke or another type of brain injury, physical problems or speech difficulties are often obvious. However, changes in how the brain works, such as problems with attention, can be harder to spot but can significantly affect daily life. One common attention problem is called 'neglect'. This means someone might struggle to notice things on one side of their body, like people, objects, or even their own hand, on the side most affected by the stroke. This can be very frustrating and make everyday tasks much harder.

Researchers have developed a new digital app called "EyeFocus" to help people improve their attention and reduce the effects of neglect. This study aims to find out if it's practical and helpful to use this app with stroke survivors who have neglect, while they are still in the hospital or in a community hospital setting. It's an early study, often called a 'pilot study', which means we're checking if the approach works well before conducting larger studies.

By taking part, you would be helping us learn more about potential new ways to help people recover after a stroke. While we can't promise that you will personally see an improvement in your neglect symptoms during the study, your participation is really important for developing better treatments in the future.

Key takeaways

It's about a new app for stroke survivors with attention problems called neglect.
The study tests if the 'EyeFocus' app can help improve attention.
Participation involves short daily sessions (30 mins) with an app for one week.
There are no known risks, and your involvement helps future patients.
It's an early study, checking how practical the app is in hospitals.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for stroke survivors aged 18 or older. To be eligible, you would need to show signs of neglect, which doctors will check using two special tests. You also need to be able to sit at a table for 30 minutes at a time and be able to follow one simple instruction, like "point to an object with your less affected arm."

You would not be able to join the study if you are due to leave the hospital for home or another non-NHS facility within the next 15 days, or if you are already taking part in another study that is also trying to treat neglect.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had a stroke?
Do doctors think you have signs of 'neglect' after your stroke?
Can you sit comfortably at a table for 30 minutes?
Can you follow a simple one-step instruction, like pointing to something?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you are eligible and choose to take part, you would use the EyeFocus app on a tablet provided by the study. You would have five sessions, each lasting 30 minutes, spread over seven days. These sessions would take place in your hospital. A therapist would be with you to guide you through the exercises. There are no follow-up visits after the 7-day period. The total duration of your active involvement would be about one week.

Potential risks and benefits

While we can't promise that your neglect symptoms will definitely improve during the study, your participation will provide valuable information that could help develop better treatments for stroke survivors in the future. There are no known risks or side effects associated with using the EyeFocus app or taking part in this study. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this would not affect your medical care.

Locations (2)

Norwich Community Hospital
Approximate
Norwich, England
Barts Health NHS Trust
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is 'neglect'?

Neglect is a difficulty paying attention to things on one side of your body or in your surroundings, often after a stroke or brain injury.

What does the EyeFocus app do?

The EyeFocus app has exercises designed to help you improve your attention and address the symptoms of neglect.

How long will I be in the study?

You will participate in 5 sessions over 7 days, with each session lasting 30 minutes. Your active involvement will be about one week.

Will I get better if I join this study?

We can't guarantee you will personally improve during this trial, but your participation is crucial for understanding how to help future stroke survivors.

Who is running this study?

This study is being run by researchers from the University of East Anglia and occupational therapists at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with funding from the NIHR.

How to find out more

Stephanie Rossit

s.rossit@uea.ac.uk +44 01603591674 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.