Multifactorial predictors and outcome variables of vision restoration training in patients with post-geniculate visual field loss.
OBJECTIVE
Systematic stimulation of the visual field border in patients with visual field loss after cerebral lesions improves visual function even years after the onset of partial blindness. However, computer-based training programs like Vision Restoration Training (VRT) are not equally effective in all patients. We therefore tested which factors determine training outcome and which visual and cognitive functions are changed by VRT.


METHODS
Multiple outcome measures were predicted using a multifactorial regression approach. Nineteen patients with post-geniculate visual system lesions performed six months of VRT and underwent extensive testing before and after treatment, including visual field measurements, attention functions, and subjective parameters.


RESULTS
Visual field size increased significantly during training, but a number of cognitive, especially attentional, variables also improved, as did subjective visual function. The size of areas of residual vision was the strongest predictor variable for visual field increase. Demographic and lesion-related variables had little influence on training success.


CONCLUSIONS
With multivariate regression models, training outcome on different variables can be accurately predicted. Moreover, visual field increase is sufficiently predictable based on a set of variables readily available to the clinician: age of the patient, time since lesion, number of absolute perimetric defects, eccentricity of the visual field border, size of areas of residual vision, and average reaction time to perimetric stimuli.
Poggel
Dorothe A
DA
Institute of Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Otto-von-Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. dapoggel@bu.edu
Mueller
Iris
I
Kasten
Erich
E
Sabel
Bernhard A
BA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006423:Hemianopsia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012438:Saccades / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000502:physiology; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000502:physiology