Strategy Training for Optimizing Attention for Individuals With Spatial Neglect

NCT07331896 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: STUDY25090119
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 45
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

It is common for individuals after stroke to have a cognitive perceptual impairment called unilateral spatial neglect (neglect). Individuals with neglect have difficulty paying attention to one side of their body or one side of the environment and therefore experience difficulty performing daily activities. There are a lack of effective treatments for neglect and new interventions are needed to help reduce disability for these individuals. Metacognitive strategy training (strategy training) is an intervention that has the potential to reduce neglect-related disability and improve individuals' attention and awareness of their neglect. This study seeks to examine the effects of strategy training on neglect, self-awareness, and disability, specifically for individuals who are living in the community after their stroke.

Conditions

Stroke; Neglect, Hemispatial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in attention/neglect

  Change in attention/neglect measured with the Catherine Bergego Scale. Total scores on the Catherine Bergego Scale therapist-rated assessment range from 0-30 (higher=greater neglect). The a priori criterion for change was a medium effect size of change (Cohen's d≥0.5)

  Baseline to Post-intervention (up to 60 days)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Client Satisfaction with Strategy Training

  Post-intervention (up to 60 days)

Study Arms (2)

Strategy Training

EXPERIMENTAL

The strategy training intervention teaches individuals to develop personalized goals, self-assess their performance of daily activities, and develop and evaluate strategies designed to overcome barriers and improve their performance of daily activities. Participants use a workbook to support their application of the strategy training.

Behavioral: Strategy Training

Attention Control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The attention control intervention controls for the non-specific effects of strategy training. The study team will administer the standardized and dose-matched protocol, using scripted open-ended questions to facilitate participants' reflections on their rehabilitation activities and experiences. Participants complete a daily journal, merely reviewing their rehabilitation activities.

Behavioral: Attention Control

Interventions

Strategy Training BEHAVIORAL

This intervention will use an adapted form of strategy training for people with neglect.

Strategy Training

Attention Control BEHAVIORAL

This intervention will use a reflective listening protocol.

Attention Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• had a stroke
• presence of neglect as determined by score of \<18 or 2 or more collisions on the Virtual Reality Lateralized Attention Test (VRLAT) or score below established cutoff for neglect on one of the six subtests of the Behavioral Inattention Test (BIT);
• ≥18 years old
• lives within 30 miles of the University of Pittsburgh in a community dwelling.

You may not qualify if:

• Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) Severity Scale score of 0
• dementia per medical record
• active major depressive disorder per medical record
• not willing to be videotaped
• subject is currently receiving rehabilitation therapy as part of their usual care

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pittsburgh: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15260, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stroke; Perceptual Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Emily Grattan, PhD, OTR/L

  University of Pittsburgh

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Emily Grattan, PhD, OTRlL

CONTACT

412-648-0619; esg39@pitt.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2025
• First Posted: January 12, 2026
• Study Start: April 6, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2029
• Last Updated: April 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)