Spatial inattention grasping therapy for neglect post-stroke
After a stroke, some people find it hard to notice things on one side of their body. This is called spatial inattention and affects many stroke survivors. It can make daily life difficult. Current treatments aren't very effective, so researchers developed a new therapy called SIGHT (Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy). This study aims to test if SIGHT, which involves grasping and balancing specially designed rods, can help people with spatial inattention after a stroke. Participants will be divided into two groups: one will get SIGHT therapy plus usual care, and the other will get only usual care. Researchers will check if SIGHT improves attention and everyday tasks and will try to understand who benefits most.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When someone has a stroke, it can damage parts of the brain. Sometimes, this damage makes it hard to pay attention to one side of the body, which doctors call spatial inattention. For example, someone might only eat food from one side of their plate, or bump into things on one side. This can be very frustrating and make recovery more difficult. Currently, there isn't a really good treatment for this problem, and stroke survivors and healthcare workers want better options.
That's why researchers have developed a new therapy called SIGHT (Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy). This therapy involves using your less affected hand to grasp and balance specially designed rods. The idea is that as you see and feel the rods tilting, your brain gets better at noticing things on the side it usually ignores. Early studies showed that people found SIGHT acceptable and it looked promising, so now we need a larger study to see if it really works and who it helps most.
This study will carefully compare SIGHT therapy with the usual care people receive after a stroke. By doing this, we hope to find out if SIGHT can improve how well people pay attention and help them with everyday tasks. We'll also look at different things, like whether specific brain areas or existing abilities affect how much someone benefits from the therapy.
Key takeaways
- A new therapy, SIGHT, is being tested for stroke survivors with spatial inattention.
- Spatial inattention makes it hard to notice things on one side of your body after a stroke.
- The study aims to see if SIGHT therapy improves attention and daily living.
- Participants will have their progress checked over several months.
- There are no known risks or direct benefits to taking part, but it could help future stroke survivors.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for adults who have recently had a stroke. You would need to be in hospital and showing signs that you might have spatial inattention – that's when it's hard to notice things on one side of your body. Your stroke must have happened between one week and two months ago.
To take part, you need to be able to understand simple instructions and be able to sit comfortably at a table for about 30 minutes, even if you need some support. You also need to be able to read and understand English.
There are also a few reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you're about to leave the hospital to go home, or if you're already taking part in another study that's looking at treatments for spatial inattention. Also, if there are other health conditions that mean you wouldn't be able to stay in the study for the full three months, you wouldn't be able to participate.
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 an adult who has recently had a stroke?
- Did your stroke happen between 1 week and 2 months ago?
- Are you currently in hospital due to your stroke?
- Are you having trouble noticing things on one side of your body?
- Can you understand simple instructions in English?
- Can you sit upright at a table for about 30 minutes?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you'll be put into one of two groups by chance – like flipping a coin. One group will receive the SIGHT therapy in addition to the standard care you already get, while the other group will only receive standard care. The SIGHT therapy involves practicing with special rods.
Before the therapy starts, we'll do some checks to see how well you notice things and manage everyday activities. We'll repeat these checks just after the therapy finishes, and then again three months later. Some people might also be asked if they'd be willing to have an MRI scan, if it's safe for them, to help us understand more about how the brain responds to the therapy. The total duration of your participation will be from the start of the therapy until the three-month follow-up assessment.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (8)
- Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS TrustCity onlyNorwich, United Kingdom
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyNorwich, United Kingdom
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyCambridge, United Kingdom
- Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation TrustCity onlySalford, United Kingdom
- St George's Healthcare NhstCity onlyLondon, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS TrustUnverifiedLondon, United Kingdom
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustUnverifiedSheffield, United Kingdom
Common questions
What is 'spatial inattention'?
It's a problem after a stroke where your brain struggles to notice or pay attention to things on one side of your body.
What is SIGHT therapy?
SIGHT stands for Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy. It involves grasping and balancing special rods with your hand to help your brain relearn how to pay attention.
Will I definitely get the SIGHT therapy?
Not necessarily. Participants are randomly put into two groups: one gets SIGHT plus usual care, and the other gets only usual care. This helps us fairly compare the effects.
How long does the study last?
The study itself runs from January 2025 to February 2028. Your personal involvement would be from when you start until three months after any therapy or measurements are complete.
Who is running this study?
This study is being run by the University of East Anglia in the UK and is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
How to find out more
Gregory Howard
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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