Musical Neglect Training for Patients With Visual Neglect

University of Toronto

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hemispatial Neglect

Treatments: Other: Musical Neglect Training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03516825

14-5432H

Details and patient eligibility

About

Music Neglect Training has been developed for patients with hemispatial neglect to improve their attention on the left side. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and carry-over effect of Musical Neglect Training on unilateral visual neglect. Standardized assessments (Albert's test and Line Bisection Test) were used to measure a range of visual field. A total of 6 musical exercises with tone bars which are aligned horizontally helped to improve attention and perception of the visual field on the left side.

Full description

Unilateral visual neglect from right hemisphere stroke is a condition that reduces a person's ability to attend to and process stimuli in one half, mostly left side, of their environment. This perceptual processing deficit can negatively affect individuals' daily living which in turn reduces functional independence. Music has been used as a therapeutic tool in a variety of settings to promote cognitive functions. In particular, music has been used to improve attention in the left sides for patients with visual neglect. Musical Neglect Training (MNT) has been developed for patients with visual neglect to improve attention in the left side.

The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and longer-lasting effect of Musical Neglect Training (MNT) on unilateral visual neglect. A single-subject design was used, as participants served as their own control. Two individuals participated in this study. Participants underwent six individual MNT sessions. MNT uses musical exercises which are structured in pitch, time and tempo, and musical equipment (tone bars, keyboards, drums) configures to focus attention to the neglect visual field. Two standardized assessments (Albert's and Line Bisection Test) were used. The assessments were administered immediately before and after each of the 6 MNT sessions to assess the immediate effect of MNT. Moreover, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT. Paired t-test was used to examine the immediate effect, and both participants showed significant improvement with Albert's Test in immediate effect.

Enrollment: 2 patients

Sex: All

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• patients with visual neglect after stroke
• right-handed
• medically stable
• no previous music therapy experiences
• no hearing impairments
• no cognitive deficits

Exclusion criteria

• hemianopia
• previous music therapy treatment experiences

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

2 participants in 1 patient group

Musical Neglect Training (MNT)

Experimental group

Description:

A single-subject design was used. All participants took Musical Neglect Training.

Treatment:

Other: Musical Neglect Training