Immersive Functional Virtual Reality in People With Acquired Brain Injury and Unilateral Spatial Neglect

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIC - CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF CATALONIA · Jun 10, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The REVINE study is exploring a new treatment using immersive virtual reality (VR) to help adults with acquired brain injuries, like strokes or traumatic brain injuries, who experience a condition called unilateral spatial neglect (USN). USN makes it difficult for people to notice or pay attention to one side of their surroundings, which can greatly affect their daily activities and independence. This study will assess how well this virtual reality approach works in improving their ability to interact with their environment and use their arms.

To participate in the study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have a diagnosis of acquired brain injury with mild to moderate upper limb impairment. They should be receiving care at specific rehabilitation centers in Catalonia, Spain. Participants will take part in 12 sessions of VR therapy over four weeks, where they will engage in fun, game-like tasks designed to help them improve their attention and movement. The study aims to see if this VR treatment is enjoyable and effective, and it will help guide future research on using VR in rehabilitation.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 18 years or older.
• • Diagnosis of acquired brain injury (stroke or traumatic brain injury) in the subacute phase (\>7 days to 6 months) or chronic phase (\>6 months).
• • Presence of unilateral spatial neglect, defined as omission of 6 or more bells on the left hemifield in the Bells Cancellation Test.
• • Currently receiving care at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Service of the Consorci Hospitalari de Vic or at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, or listed in the historical patient registry of these centers.
• • Presence of mild to moderate upper limb impairment, defined as a score \>29 on the Fugl-Meyer Upper-Extremity scale.
• • Medically stable and eligible to begin a rehabilitation program.
• • Willing to participate in the study and able to provide signed informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Delirium and/or behavioral disturbances that prevent the participant from following simple instructions.
• • Severe cognitive impairment, defined as a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 18, that interferes with the use of virtual reality.
• • Severe visual and/or auditory impairment that prevents the use of immersive VR goggles.
• • Severe language comprehension difficulties that interfere with the instructions during the intervention.
• • Hypersensitivity that prevents the placement of the VR headset.
• • Headache or dizziness induced by the use of VR goggles.
• • History of photosensitive epilepsy.