Computer-based training for the treatment of partial blindness.
Partial blindness after brain injury has been considered non-treatable. To evaluate whether patients with visual-field defects can profit from computer-based visual restitution training (VRT), two independent clinical trials were conducted using patients with optic nerve (n = 19) or post-chiasmatic brain injury (n = 19). In post-chiasma patients, VRT led to a significant improvement (29.4%) over baseline in the ability to detect visual stimuli; in optic nerve patients, the effects were even more pronounced (73.6% improvement). Visual-field enlargements were confirmed by the observation of a visual-field expansion of 4.9 degrees-5.8 degrees of visual angle and improved acuity in optic nerve patients. Ninety five percent of the VRT-treated patients showed improvements, 72.2% confirmed visual improvements subjectively. Patients receiving a placebo training did not show comparable improvements. In conclusion, VRT with a computer program improves vision in patients with visual-field defects and offers a new, cost-effective therapy for partial blindness.
Kasten
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Institute of Medical Psychology, Otto-v.-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Medical Faculty, Germany.
Wüst
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S
Behrens-Baumann
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W
Sabel
B A
BA
D019575:Blindness, Cortical / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012107:Research Design; D012984:Software; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014785:Vision, Ocular; D014794:Visual Fields