A non-immersive virtual reality serious game to assess distractor inhibition and spatial attention in post-stroke individuals

Background

REAsmash, a non-immersive virtual reality serious game based on Feature Integration Theory (FIT) was used to evaluate distractor inhibition and spatial attention.

Methods

Participants (15 post-stroke and 15 age matched healthy controls) performed the visual search REAsmash task with manipulations of high and low target-distractor salience and distractor number. Dependent variables included frequency of errors and omissions and mean correct response time.

Results

Post-stroke participants made more errors (χ²(1) = 19.452, p < 0.001) and omissions (χ²(1) = 55.108, p < 0.001), and responded slower (F(1,28) = 17.957, p < 0.001, η² = 0.391) than controls. FIT significant effects showed salience (F(1,28) = 497.626, p < 0.001, η² = 0.947), distractor number (F(2,56) = 24.968, p < 0.001, η² = 0.471), and a salience and distractor number interaction (F(2,56) = 26.616, p < 0.001, η² = 0.487), with increased distractor number slowing response time in the low salience condition. A salience-by-group interaction (F(1,28) = 7.794, p = 0.009, η² = 0.218) indicated greater post-stroke difficulties in low salience conditions. A target-hand congruency (Simon) effect was observed only in post-stroke participants (F(1,28) = 4.499, p = 0.043, η² = 0.138).

Conclusion

REAsmash-niVR replicated FIT results, confirming its validity for assessing distractor inhibition and spatial attention in post-stroke populations. Future research will compare individuals with and without visual neglect and explore rehabilitation applications to improve spatial attention and motor responses.