Interventions for Perceptual Disorders in Stroke: A Systematic Review

Hazelton, Christine; Thomson, Katie; Todhunter-Brown, Alex; Campbell, Pauline; Chung, Charlie S Y; Dorris, Liam; Gillespie, David C; Hunter, Susan M; McGill, Kris; Nicolson, Donald J; Williams, Linda J; Brady, Marian C

Abstract

Perception is the ability to recognize and interpret information from our senses. It is fundamental to an individual’s ability to understand and interact with their environment. Disorders of perception are common after stroke, reducing quality of life. Research evidence relating to effectiveness of interventions is unclear. This Cochrane review update and expansion assessed the effectiveness of interventions for perceptual disorders after stroke.1

Methods
We searched key online databases including CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase from inception to August 2021. We also searched trial and research registers and screened the reference lists of included studies.

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of any intervention targeting perceptual disorders following stroke and affecting hearing, taste, touch, smell, somatosensation, or vision. We excluded deficits of sensation, for example, visual field loss or attention, for example, neglect.

One reviewer screened titles for eligibility. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles.

Data extraction and risk-of-bias assessment (using the Risk of Bias-1 tool) were conducted by one reviewer and checked by a second; evidence quality was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations tool.

We compared the benefits of active interventions with no treatment, control, or alternative active interventions, on stroke survivors’ activities of daily living, our primary outcome measure, and other outcomes. Meta-analysis used Review Manager software and a random-effects model.

We involved lived experience (4 people) and clinical expert (4 people) stakeholder groups throughout the review.

Results
Of 94 434 records identified, we included 18 RCTs (541 participants, 535 [98.9%] stroke survivors).

Citation

Hazelton, C., Thomson, K., Todhunter-Brown, A., Campbell, P., Chung, C. S. Y., Dorris, L., …Brady, M. C. (2023). Interventions for Perceptual Disorders in Stroke: A Systematic Review. Stroke, 54(6), e239-e240. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.041957

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 13, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 6, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 7, 2023
• Journal: Stroke
• Print ISSN: 0039-2499
• Publisher: American Heart Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 54
• Issue: 6
• Pages: e239-e240
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.041957
• Keywords: review, stroke, Humans, Perceptual Disorders, Stroke, quality of life, perception, vision, ocular
• Publisher URL: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/STROKEAHA.123.041957