Musical Neglect Training for Patients With Visual Neglect

May 2, 2018 updated by: Michael H. Thaut, University of Toronto

Musical Neglect Training for Unilateral Visual Neglect in Right Hemispheric Stroke Patients

Music Neglect Training has been developed for patients with hemispatial neglect to improve their attention on the left side. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and carry-over effect of Musical Neglect Training on unilateral visual neglect. Standardized assessments (Albert's test and Line Bisection Test) were used to measure a range of visual field. A total of 6 musical exercises with tone bars which are aligned horizontally helped to improve attention and perception of the visual field on the left side.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Unilateral visual neglect from right hemisphere stroke is a condition that reduces a person's ability to attend to and process stimuli in one half, mostly left side, of their environment. This perceptual processing deficit can negatively affect individuals' daily living which in turn reduces functional independence. Music has been used as a therapeutic tool in a variety of settings to promote cognitive functions. In particular, music has been used to improve attention in the left sides for patients with visual neglect. Musical Neglect Training (MNT) has been developed for patients with visual neglect to improve attention in the left side.

The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate and longer-lasting effect of Musical Neglect Training (MNT) on unilateral visual neglect. A single-subject design was used, as participants served as their own control. Two individuals participated in this study. Participants underwent six individual MNT sessions. MNT uses musical exercises which are structured in pitch, time and tempo, and musical equipment (tone bars, keyboards, drums) configures to focus attention to the neglect visual field. Two standardized assessments (Albert's and Line Bisection Test) were used. The assessments were administered immediately before and after each of the 6 MNT sessions to assess the immediate effect of MNT. Moreover, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT. Paired t-test was used to examine the immediate effect, and both participants showed significant improvement with Albert's Test in immediate effect.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

2

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • patients with visual neglect after stroke
  • right-handed
  • medically stable
  • no previous music therapy experiences
  • no hearing impairments
  • no cognitive deficits

Exclusion Criteria:

  • hemianopia
  • previous music therapy treatment experiences

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Musical Neglect Training (MNT)
A single-subject design was used. All participants took Musical Neglect Training.
Other: Musical Neglect Training
MNT uses musical exercises which are structured in pitch, time and tempo, and musical equipment (tone bars, keyboards, drums) configures to focus attention to the neglect visual field.
Other Names:
  • Neurologic Music Therapy

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Changes of Albert's Test between before and after the sessions
Time Frame: Albert's test was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.
The Albert's Test was scored as the number of uncrossed lines on the sheet. The test paper consisted of 18 lines on each side, and 4 lines in the center. Since the un-crossed lines have been calculated, less score indicates positive outcomes.
Albert's test was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.
Changes of Line Bisection Test between before and after the sessions
Time Frame: Line Bisection was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.
The Line Bisection Test was calculated as percentage of the deviation from the true center of the line. A different length of 17 lines were aligned horizontally on the test paper. Since the deviation from the true central point has been measured, less score indicates positive outcomes.
Line Bisection was given to participants before and after of all 6 sessions. The outcome measure was assessed two days a week for three weeks. Also, follow-up testing was done one week after their 6th session to examine the longer-lasting effects of MNT.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Toronto

Collaborators

Colorado State University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Michael Thaut, PhD, University of Toronto

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

January 27, 2015

Primary Completion (Actual)

January 28, 2016

Study Completion (Actual)

January 28, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 19, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 2, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

May 4, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 4, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 2, 2018

Last Verified

May 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 14-5432H

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

IPD Plan Description

IPD will not be made available to external researchers.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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