Bedford

Spatial neglect is a common condition after stroke that causes difficulty noticing or responding to the left side of the body or space, leading to challenges with daily activities like eating, dressing, and moving around. This condition affects many stroke patients and currently lacks a standard treatment. Researchers are evaluating a new gamified prism adaptation (PA) treatment called Peg-the-Mole (PTM), which can be used at home without daily therapist supervision. This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of this portable PA treatment in both inpatient and home settings to improve neglect symptoms. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one using 15-degree rightward shifting prism goggles (experimental group) and the other using 5-degree shifting goggles (placebo control group). Both groups will complete 10 sessions of a 15-minute aiming task on an iPad over about two weeks. Sessions will take place in the hospital or at home, depending on the participant's length of hospital stay, with a hybrid model if discharged early. The treatment uses a game-like computerized procedure to encourage engagement and adherence. Throughout the study, researchers will assess neglect severity and its impact on daily activities before, immediately after, and one month following the intervention. They will also track treatment feasibility through logs and patient feedback. This includes multiple tests of neglect symptoms at different times and measures of how well patients comply with the treatment. The study will help determine whether this novel PA method can be effectively used in real-world rehabilitation settings to improve recovery and independence after stroke.