A Proposal for a New Index to Quantify the Ratio of Near and Far Spatial Neglect Based on 3D Neglect Assessment Using Immersive Virtual Reality Technology

Abstract

Unilateral spatial neglect (USN) is defined as impaired attention to stimuli on one side, which can exist for near and far spaces combined or independently. Thus, quantifying both near- and far-space neglect is crucial. This study aims to propose an index to quantify the near/far spatial neglect ratio to describe neglect symptoms’ characteristics in each patient using virtual reality (VR). Objects were presented in a VR space and the positional data of them recognized by the patients was recorded. The near/far neglect ratio (NF_Ratio) which was calculated using proposed equation suggested that four patients tended to have greater far-space neglect, and one tended to have greater near-space neglect. Moreover, NF_Ratio was shown to vary according to height. This is the first study to propose VR system to quantify the near and far spatial neglect. However, further study is needed to assess its reliability and validity and describe its clinical usability.