Here, we developed a method that randomly generates balloons in the left-right, up-down, and near-far spaces on a monitor using a head-mounted display. In this study, we evaluated a lack of stimulus-driven attention case that was undetected by conventional assessments such as the Behavioral Inattention Test. We could identify mild neglect with our virtual reality method, as later confirmed using the Catherine Bergego scale. After repeated practice under a tilted background space condition, the patient demonstrated a reduction in the time needed to perceive the appearing balloons, suggesting a therapeutic effect.

Background: For patients with severe post-stroke pusher behavior (PB), acquiring a vertical posture involves correcting paretic-sided body tilt to the non-paretic side. Active lateral sitting training may facilitate improvement in postural orientation for patients with PB. However, its effect on patients with severe PB remains unclear. Objective: To determine the effect of performing a lateral-reaching exercise in patients with severe PB seated on a tilted surface Methods: Three patients with severe PB due to right hemispheric stroke participated in our study. Using a single-case design, the intervention’s effect was verified using the applied behavior analysis method. Conventional physical therapy was performed for 1 h at baseline and at follow-up. During the intervention, lateral sitting training on a tilted surface was performed 40 times per session (total, 2 sessions). PB was assessed using the Scale for Contraversive Pushing and the Burke Lateropulsion Scale, and patient-reported fear of falling. The Function in Sitting Test (FIST) and the Trunk Control Test (TCT) were administered. Results: PB improved in all patients post-intervention and persisted at follow-up. Fear of falling during the passive sitting task while moving toward the non-paretic side disappeared post-intervention and at follow-up. FIST and TCT scores improved in 2 patients. Conclusion: The lateral sitting exercise reduced severe PB in all patients; however, sitting balance and trunk performance did not improve in 1 patient. Future studies to examine the adaptability of this task and long-term effects are needed.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify whether an exercise involving weight shifting to the nonparetic side while standing on an inclined surface improves standing balance in the early phase after stroke. Methods: This assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial included people undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a university hospital. Participants (N = 52) with hemiparesis caused by a stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 26) or control group (n = 26). Participants performed a weight-shifting exercise to the nonparetic side using a goal-directed reaching strategy while standing on an inclined surface that was elevated 5 degrees to the nonparetic side in the experimental group or a flat surface in the control group. The reaching exercise was conducted 30 times per day for 5 days. Primary outcome was the Berg Balance Scale. Secondary outcomes were the posturographic examination (static standing and lateral weight shifting to the nonparetic and paretic sides), Trunk Control Test, Trunk Impairment Scale, Functional Ambulation Category, and Functional Independent Measure motor item scores. Results: Through intention-to-treat analysis, no significant intervention effects were observed between groups on the Berg Balance Scale. A significant intervention effect was observed, however, with the experimental group on the lateral weight shifting to the nonparetic side in the mean percentage bodyweight values and center-of-pressure moving distance and to the paretic side in center-of-pressure moving distance and Functional Ambulation Category. There were no significant interaction effects concerning other outcomes. Conclusion: These results suggest that standing reaching exercises to the nonparetic side while standing on an inclined surface could improve lateral weight-shifting capacity and gait ability in participants in the early poststroke phase. Impact: This intervention should be incorporated into standard treatment programs focusing on the paretic side during early stroke rehabilitation.