SPATIAL feasibility study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A feasibility Study of Prisms And Therapy In Attention Loss after stroke (SPATIAL feasibility)

  • IRAS ID

    232874

  • Contact name

    Audrey Bowen

  • Contact email

    audrey.bowen@manchester.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Manchester

  • ISRCTN Number

    ISRCTN88395268

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 5 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Some patients have difficulty taking part in occupational therapy because of attention loss (spatial inattention) after stroke. This means that that awareness of one side of the body and surrounding area is affected causing the person to miss that side. The eyes work but the person does not see. Patients with spatial inattention early after stroke have poor recovery. They can miss out on the full benefits of early stroke care. They are often discharged from hospital needing a lot of help at home.

    Prism Adaptation Training (PAT) is a possible therapy for inattention. The patient wears glasses with large lenses (prisms) that move their view to one side. The patient points at a target repeatedly for five minutes while wearing prism glasses. The brain adapts temporarily and the patient switches from pointing too far one side to the other, meaning they become more aware of their neglected side. This adaptation may help patients to participate in therapy if it is delivered immediately after wearing the prism glasses.

    SPATIAL feasibility will investigate how practical it is to use PAT to help patients with spatial inattention to participate in occupational therapy. The study will add to existing evidence on the clinical usefulness and value of PAT. We will also look at participant outcomes using the Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale, which focuses on functional abilities, and the clinical usefulness of PAT on engagement in occupational therapy.

    6 NHS trusts around the North West will host this trial and recruit 60-80 stroke patients with spatial inattention, 40-50 informal carers and approximately 12 occupational therapy staff. The study will last for approximately 24 months.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    18/YH/0480

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Jan 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion