title: Sustained attention training reduces spatial bias in Parkinson's disease: a pilot case series.
abstract: Individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly demonstrate lateralized spatial biases, which affect daily functioning. Those with PD with initial motor symptoms on the left body side (LPD) have reduced leftward attention, whereas PD with initial motor symptoms on the right side (RPD) may display reduced rightward attention. We investigated whether a sustained attention training program could help reduce these spatial biases. Four non-demented individuals with PD (2 LPD, 2 RPD) performed a visual search task before and after 1 month of computer training. Before training, all participants showed a significant spatial bias and after training, all participants' spatial bias was eliminated.
authors.affiliation: a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.|b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.|c Department of Medicine , Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeGutis
authors.affiliation: a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.|b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Mallory
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grosso
authors.affiliation: d Department of Medical Research, VA Northern California Healthcare System , Martinez , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: VanVleet
authors.affiliation: a Boston Attention and Learning Laboratory , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.|b Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) , Boston Division VA Healthcare System , Boston , MA , USA.|e Department of Psychiatry , Boston University School of Medicine , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esterman
authors.affiliation: f Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pistorino
authors.affiliation: f Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences , Boston University , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cronin-Golomb
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011601:Psychophysics; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Parkinson’s disease; cognitive training; spatial bias; sustained attention; visual search