Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy (SIGHT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy (SIGHT) for rehabilitation of spatial neglect post-stroke: a randomised-controlled multicentre efficacy trial with embedded mechanistic study of determinants of therapy response
IRAS ID
335220
Contact name
Stephanie Rossit
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 29 days
Research summary
A stroke is caused by blood supply being cut off to part of the brain, killing brain cells. This can affect the brains' ability to interpret information. In some cases, this can make the stroke survivor lose attention to things on one side of their body. This disabling condition is called spatial neglect or inattention. Healthcare staff follow national stroke guidelines but currently there is no effective treatment for spatial inattention. We worked with stroke survivors, carers, and healthcare staff to create a therapy for spatial inattention called SIGHT (Spatial Inattention Grasping Therapy). SIGHT requires people to grasp and balance rods with their less affected hand. Because of spatial inattention, the rods tilt in the first attempts. This improves when they see and feel the rods tilt. This trial aims to see if SIGHT can help spatial inattention after stroke and determine which patients benefit most. 206 stroke survivors with spatial inattention will be allocated to two groups: one group will receive SIGHT and usual care; the other group will only receive usual care. To compare the effect of the therapy we will assess patients' ability to attend to objects, and to carry out daily life tasks before the therapy starts, immediately after therapy, and 3 months after therapy. We will also study why some people benefit more from therapy than others. People who have inattention are better at grasping the middle of objects than judging where the middle is. This shows that different parts of the brain control grasping and perceiving things. People with damage to the parts of the brain used for grasping may benefit less. To help identify who might benefit we will measure grasping, vision, cognition, and stroke severity. If the study shows that it reduces the effect of spatial inattention it could transform therapy worldwide.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0391
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion