Oculomotor Training for Poor Pursuits Improves Functional Vision Scores and Neurobehavioral Symptoms.

Background: Smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) are critical to humans' ability to see and interact with the world. However, limitations exist in the assessment of oculomotor training designed to improve SPEM. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participants with poor SPEM improved vi...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Optometry & Visual Performance Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 206 - 216
Autores principales: Mani, Revathy, Hunfalvay, Melissa, Murray, Nicholas P., Gross, Adam T., Whittaker, Jason, Noel, Cedrick
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Optometric Extension Program Dec2022
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Smooth pursuit eye movements (SPEM) are critical to humans' ability to see and interact with the world. However, limitations exist in the assessment of oculomotor training designed to improve SPEM. The purpose of this study was to determine whether participants with poor SPEM improved via a standardized oculomotor training program. The secondary objective was to quantify the change in SPEM accurately using eye tracking. The third objective was to examine participants' neurobehavioral symptoms before and after oculomotor training using the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI). Methods: Four SPEM metrics, including Functional Vision EyeQ score, on target, latent and predictive pursuit percentages, and symptoms using NSI were assessed. Participants were randomly assigned either to the intervention (IG) or no intervention (NI) groups. The intervention group performed 10 minutes of oculomotor training daily for five days using the EyeQ Trainer, while the NI group did not receive any intervention. Each group comprised 46 participants, with mean ages of 35.43±22.9 and 41.59±22.3 years for the intervention and NI groups, respectively. Results: There were significant interactions between groups (intervention and NI) and times (pre- and post-oculomotor training) for all four SPEM metrics and NSI symptoms (p<0.05). The SPEM metrics showed improved tracking abilities and a significant reduction in NSI symptoms in the intervention group compared to the NI group post training. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that oculomotor training showed improved SPEM metrics and reduction in symptoms. Future research should consider the examination of eye movement metrics for saccades and gaze stability.