Affiliations: Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of
Turku, Turku, Finland | Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku,
Finland | Department of Neurology, Turku University Central
Hospital, Turku, Finland | Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Turku
University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland
Note: [] Corresponding author: Laura Julkunen, Lic. Med., Department of
Psychology, University of Turku, Assistentinkatu 7, 20014 University of Turku,
Finland. Tel.: +358 2 333 6984; Fax: +358 2 333 5060; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Purpose. Our aim was to study whether homonymous visual field
defects could be restored in chronic stroke patients (N = 5) using
computer-assisted training, and whether the possible beneficial effect could be
maintained. Visual evoked potential (VEP) recordings were applied to evaluate
whether they could demonstrate the possible training effects at the cortical
level. Methods. We applied a specially designed computer program in the
training. Subjective assessment, static and kinetic perimetry, and pattern
reversal hemifield VEP recordings were used to detect the possible changes.
Results. Two patients showed improvements immediately after the
training in static perimetry. Further improvements were detected at a later
follow-up in three patients. With kinetic perimetry, improvements were detected
in three patients. The visual field defect was detected with VEP recordings in
four patients before the training, and improvements could be verified with the
method in three patients, two of which clearly improved in the static perimetry
as well. Conclusions. In three patients, the visual defect diminished with
the computer-assisted method. It seems evident that visual field defects
resulting from stroke can be partially restored even in the chronic phase.
