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The effects of rehabilitative interventions on reading disorders caused by homonymous visual field defects: a meta-analysis focusing on improvement in reading speed

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Abstract

Introduction

Reading disorders caused by homonymous visual field defects (HVFDs) have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life. However, no review has been conducted to evaluate the available evidence on the effects of rehabilitative interventions on reading disorders caused by HVFDs. Thus, the aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effects of rehabilitative interventions on reading disorders caused by HVFDs.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect databases for relevant articles. Relevant search terms were used to identify reports of randomized controlled trials or randomized crossover trials published between January 1990 and December 2021. Only studies that included reading-speed-related outcomes were analyzed. Risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, and standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Ι2 statistic.

Results

Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that rehabilitative interventions significantly improved reading disorders caused by HVFDs (SMD = 0.30; 95% CI 0.08–0.51; P < 0.01; Ι2 = 0.0%). Subgroup analysis showed that reading training significantly improved reading disorders (SMD = 0.35; 95% CI 0.05–0.66; P = 0.02; Ι2 = 0.0%).

Conclusion

Reading disorders caused by HVFDs can be improved through rehabilitation. In addition, reading training for the improvement of eye movement and fixation to compensate for foveal and parafoveal visual field defects may improve reading speed.

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Data Availability

All data included and analyzed in this study can be confirmed in this article and supplementary materials.

Abbreviations

95% CIs:

95% Confidence intervals

FEF:

Frontal eye field

HVFDs:

Homonymous visual field defects

PEF:

Parietal eye field

PRISMA:

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

PROSPERO:

Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews

RCT:

Randomized controlled or crossover trial

rtACS:

Repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation

SMD:

Standardized mean differences

tDCS:

Transcranial direct current stimulation

VRT:

Visual restoration therapy

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Acknowledgements

The first author sincerely thanks Assistant Professor Hiroki Okada and Professor Shinya Sakai for their kind and detailed supervision from the research planning to the submission of the article, and Michiyo Kawamura and Moe Nemoto, Hokkaido University Library, for their help in creating search strategies. In addition, we thank Professor Alexander Leff for the kind answers to data requests.

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The authors did not receive any financial support for this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12-Jo Nishi 5-Chome, Kitaku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

    Takaya Maeyama

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 12-Jo Nishi 5-Chome, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan

    Hiroki Okada & Shinya Sakai

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  1. Takaya Maeyama
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Correspondence to Hiroki Okada.

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Maeyama, T., Okada, H. & Sakai, S. The effects of rehabilitative interventions on reading disorders caused by homonymous visual field defects: a meta-analysis focusing on improvement in reading speed. Acta Neurol Belg 124, 123–140 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13760-023-02327-6

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