Recent developments in the assessment and treatment for reading difficulties in people with hemianopia

Introduction: Hemianopia is one of the most frequent visual deficits after stroke and often leads to reading difficulties.
Methods: We performed a systematic literature review on reading interventions for hemianopia. Together with experts by experience and clinical experts, we developed a questionnaire asking for a wide range of hemianopia-related reading difficulties. The factor structure was examined in a large community sample (N=998), as well as the reliability of the subscales, the convergent and divergent validity. We performed an explorative study on the effects of two recently developed reading interventions (one based on rotated reading and one on adapting horizontal eye movements during reading).
Results: We present the overview of all reading interventions described in the literature. While most studies focus on reading speed as the primary outcome measure of treatment, this does not cover the full range of reading complaints in hemianopia. The 24-item self-report questionnaire, called the Hemianopia Reading Questionnaire (HRQ), asks for a wide range of hemianopia-related reading difficulties. The factor analysis showed a good fit for a 3-bifactor model. Convergent and divergent validity of the HRQ were found to be good, as well as the reliability of the subscales (ω range .93-.99). We present on the effects and feasibility of the two reading interventions examined.
Conclusions: The HRQ helps to assess the wide range of hemianopia-related reading difficulties. The overview of available interventions, together with the results on our exploratory effect study, may guide clinical professionals in the intervention options that best serve an individual with hemianopia.