Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are developing a new app to assist store survivors suffering from a condition called spatial neglect.
The researchers are working on this project in collaboration with industry partner Animorph and with funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Spatial neglect causes an individual to lose attention to one side, usually occurring on the same side that they may have lost their movement on.
The new ‘EyeFocus’ tablet app aims to assist stroke survivors in regaining their independence by improving their awareness and attention to the impaired side.
The team at UEA are now looking for stroke survivors in East Anglia to trial the new app.
The developers hope that in the future the app could assist millions of stroke survivors around the world to overcome spatial neglect, as well as patients suffering other brain disorders caused by cancer, dementia and traumatic brain injury.
Lead Researcher Dr Stephanie Rossit, from UEA’s School of Psychology, says: “Spatial neglect is a condition that affects one in three stroke survivors, causing them to ignore or be unaware of objects, people, or events on one side of their body.
“This can lead to difficulty with activities of daily living, such as dressing, eating, and mobility.
“When somebody has spatial neglect, they tend to have poorer recovery and long-term disability.
“Currently there is no effective treatment for the condition and clinicians tell us that they lack the tools to help people both in clinic and in patients’ homes.”
The EyeFocus app uses eye-tracking technology using the tablet web cam to train stroke survivors to pay attention to objects on their neglected side. It includes a range of exercises that aim to improve awareness and attention, such as following moving targets. Unlike traditional rehabilitation, it means that patients can access their programme from the comfort of their own homes.
Dr Rossit, says: ““We developed the EyeFocus app by working closely with stroke survivors, carers, and therapists. The app delivers therapy in a personalised way, either in a clinical setting or in people’s own homes, without the need for a therapist to be present.
“Recent research shows that people with spatial neglect can be helped with training to look to their affected side by showing them fast moving objects on a screen – a therapy called ‘smooth pursuit training’.
“But this approach requires 30-60 minutes of daily practice for a month in a clinic with a therapist always present.
“We want to overcome this challenge by providing patients with a comprehensive, easy-to-use rehabilitation program that can be used from the comfort of their own home.
“One of the key features of the app is its gamification elements, which aim to make the rehabilitation process more engaging and enjoyable.
“Users can earn rewards as they progress through the program, providing a sense of achievement and motivation.”
It is hoped that the app will eventually be rolled across the NHS, to help reduce disability and improve quality of life for stroke survivors, and decrease NHS costs.
Szczepan Orlowski, says: “At Animorph we are extremely excited about the opportunity to advance the EyeFocus app, in particular to improve its eye tracking functionality.
“The funding will also allow us to progress our efforts towards commercialising the solution in a sustainable and accessible way. We have a wonderful team working on EyeFocus and we simply cannot wait to kick off the project!”
The research team are looking for people in East Anglia with spatial neglect to trial the new app. For more information contact neurolab@uea.ac.uk.
