Detecting behavioral patterns for diagnosis and rehabilitation of visual neglect: a technology-enhanced version of the Baking Tray Task

Visual neglect is a frequent and disabling consequence of right brain damage. Traditional paper-and-pencil tests of neglect have limitations in sensitivity and ecological validity. The Baking Tray Task (BTT), instead, approaches real-life situations, because it requires participants to place 16 physical objects on a board. The number of objects placed on the left and right portions of the board provides a clinical index of visual neglect. Here we present E-TOKEN, a technology-enhanced version of the BTT. E- TOKEN automatically determines the object locations on the board, and also records the sequence and timing of their placement. We used E-TOKEN to test 9 patients with right hemisphere damage, and compared their performance with that obtained by 115 healthy participants. To this end, we developed a new method of analysis of participants9 performance, based on the use of the convex hull described by the objects on the board. This measure provides an estimate of the portion of space processed by each participant, and can effectively discriminate neglect patients from patients without neglect. E-TOKEN allows clinicians to assess visuospatial performance by using a convenient, fast, and relatively automatized procedure, that patients can even perform at home to follow-up the effects of rehabilitation.

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