Development and User Experiences of a Novel Virtual Reality Task for Post-stroke Visuospatial Neglect: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Visuospatial Neglect (VSN) affects spatial awareness, leading to functional and motor challenges. This study explores virtual reality (VR) as a potential complementary tool for VSN rehabilitation, offering a novel environment that intends to support therapy outcomes. Specifically, we aim to explore the initial experiences of patients and physiotherapists engaging with the protocol. VSN occurs in approximately 30% of stroke survivors, often presenting as inattention to one side of space. While conventional therapies rely on repetitive motor tasks, VR has emerged as a promising alternative for targeted and patient-centered rehabilitation. However, evidence on the integration of audio-visual cues in VR for VSN is limited. A preliminary VR task integrating audio-visual cues was co-designed with two physiotherapists. The task was then tested with two VSN patients over 12 sessions. Preliminary findings suggest potential benefits in patient experience, with one patient reporting increased confidence in mobility. However, outcomes varied, and the results are exploratory.