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A groundbreaking 15-minute screening tool designed to help stroke survivors with visual perception problems has been launched by researchers from Durham and Oxford universities. This free tool aims to simplify the process for health professionals to identify such issues in stroke patients, addressing a critical need for quick and effective assessments.
The research behind the screening tool, known as the Oxford Visual Perception Screen (OxVPS), has been published in the journal Clinical Rehabilitation. Visual perception difficulties, which can affect up to 76% of stroke survivors, often go undiagnosed due to a lack of efficient and reliable assessment methods. These issues include struggles with recognizing objects, faces, movements, reading, and hand-eye coordination. If left unidentified, they can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, independence, and safety.
Addressing a Crucial Gap in Stroke Care
Surveys conducted among occupational therapists highlight the urgent need for a standardized screening tool and proper training for visual perception assessments. The OxVPS meets this demand with a simple, paper-based test comprising ten tasks designed to assess a wide range of visual perception issues resulting from brain injury. The tasks include object and face recognition, reading exercises, eye-hand coordination tests, and detecting neglect of either the left or right side of space.
Patients undergoing the test may be asked to recognize drawings of faces and objects, read a short paragraph, or draw geometric figures. Developed with input from stroke survivors, neuropsychologists, healthcare professionals, and volunteers, the assessment is easy to administer and interpret. Unlike existing tests, which can be time-consuming and unsuitable for patients with communication difficulties, the OxVPS offers a practical solution that addresses multiple aspects of visual perception.
Expert Insights and Real-World Impact
Dr. Kathleen Vancleef, lead author from Durham University’s Department of Psychology, emphasized the importance of early screening, stating, “Screening stroke survivors for visual perception problems with a simple and quick test is crucial to avoid difficulties being missed and to determine the type of support and rehabilitation needed. Knowing what is happening to them can make a huge difference to stroke survivors.”
Brin Helliwell, a stroke survivor who experienced visual perception difficulties, shared his perspective: “My care team did not mention this could be an effect of the stroke, and I was too scared to bring it up. Screening is important to make sense of what you are experiencing.”
The research team initially tested the tool with 107 healthy individuals to establish baseline scores. They also conducted tests with eight stroke survivors and individuals with poor vision, confirming that the tool can differentiate between eyesight-related difficulties and brain-related perception problems. Further validation is underway in stroke wards at three hospitals, but the OxVPS is already available for free use in publicly-funded research and healthcare, including the NHS.
Future Developments and Availability
The research team aims to expand the tool’s accessibility to healthcare professionals within the NHS and explore commercial partnerships for international distribution. Professor Nele Demeyere from the University of Oxford highlighted its significance, stating, “It is wonderful to finally present this standardized tool and make it available for allied health professionals in stroke care. OxVPS enables targeted screening of perception difficulties, including rare but impactful conditions like agnosia.”
Dr. Louise Flanagan, Head of Research at the Stroke Association, reinforced the tool’s importance, noting, “Every day, 240 people wake up to the devastating effects of stroke. Vision problems after a stroke can make it difficult for survivors to do basic tasks like crossing the road or recognizing loved ones, causing great anxiety.”
How to Access the Screening Tool
The OxVPS is currently available for free to healthcare professionals and researchers. More information, including access to the tool, can be found at https://oxvps.webspace.durham.ac.uk/.
Disclaimer: The Oxford Visual Perception Screen (OxVPS) is intended as a screening tool and does not provide a definitive diagnosis of visual perceptual conditions. It serves as a guide for follow-up assessments and rehabilitation planning. Stroke survivors experiencing vision-related issues should consult a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate medical advice.
