Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of visual disability in children, resulting from damage to the brain’s visual processing pathways. Although ocular structures may be intact, functional vision, the use of vision in daily tasks, is often s...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Zeynep Celik Turan Esra Aki |
| author_facet | Zeynep Celik Turan Esra Aki |
| author_sort | Zeynep Celik Turan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of visual disability in children, resulting from damage to the brain’s visual processing pathways. Although ocular structures may be intact, functional vision, the use of vision in daily tasks, is often significantly affected. Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) has shown potential to enhance cognitive functions through neuroplasticity, yet its influence on functional vision remains underexplored. This exploratory pilot study aimed to examine whether CRT could improve functional vision in children with CVI by targeting underlying cognitive deficits. <b>Methods</b>: A single-arm pre–post intervention study was conducted with nine children aged 7–11 years diagnosed with CVI. Participants received 20 individualized CRT sessions over ten weeks, integrating principles from the Model of Visual Functioning. Functional vision was evaluated using the Gazi Functional Vision Assessment Instrument (GFVAI), while cognitive improvements were measured with the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch) and the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-4 (MVPT-4). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. <b>Results</b>: Statistically significant improvements were observed in GFVAI domains such as light sensitivity, distant visual field, focusing, maintaining focus, and obstacle avoidance (<i>p</i> < 0.05 to <i>p</i> < 0.01). Qualitative analysis also indicated a shift from low/moderate to good/very good performance in most functional vision categories. Cognitive domains, including visual-motor organization, thinking operations, and spatial perception, showed significant gains. <b>Conclusions</b>: CRT may support improvements in functional vision by enhancing cognitive processes in children with CVI. This therapist-led approach is feasible, adaptable, and holds promise for widespread application in pediatric rehabilitation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6df18ddb5a4f421f8cc0e8f83035b398 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-6df18ddb5a4f421f8cc0e8f83035b3982025-08-20T03:26:25ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-05-0115659010.3390/brainsci15060590Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual ImpairmentZeynep Celik Turan0Esra Aki1Occupational Therapy Division, Brunel University of London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, UKOccupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hacettepe University, Ankara 06100, Türkiye<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cerebral visual impairment (CVI) is the leading cause of visual disability in children, resulting from damage to the brain’s visual processing pathways. Although ocular structures may be intact, functional vision, the use of vision in daily tasks, is often significantly affected. Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) has shown potential to enhance cognitive functions through neuroplasticity, yet its influence on functional vision remains underexplored. This exploratory pilot study aimed to examine whether CRT could improve functional vision in children with CVI by targeting underlying cognitive deficits. <b>Methods</b>: A single-arm pre–post intervention study was conducted with nine children aged 7–11 years diagnosed with CVI. Participants received 20 individualized CRT sessions over ten weeks, integrating principles from the Model of Visual Functioning. Functional vision was evaluated using the Gazi Functional Vision Assessment Instrument (GFVAI), while cognitive improvements were measured with the Dynamic Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment for Children (DOTCA-Ch) and the Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-4 (MVPT-4). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. <b>Results</b>: Statistically significant improvements were observed in GFVAI domains such as light sensitivity, distant visual field, focusing, maintaining focus, and obstacle avoidance (<i>p</i> < 0.05 to <i>p</i> < 0.01). Qualitative analysis also indicated a shift from low/moderate to good/very good performance in most functional vision categories. Cognitive domains, including visual-motor organization, thinking operations, and spatial perception, showed significant gains. <b>Conclusions</b>: CRT may support improvements in functional vision by enhancing cognitive processes in children with CVI. This therapist-led approach is feasible, adaptable, and holds promise for widespread application in pediatric rehabilitation.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/590vision disorderstherapyactivities of daily livingparticipationcognition |
| spellingShingle | Zeynep Celik Turan Esra Aki Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment Brain Sciences vision disorders therapy activities of daily living participation cognition |
| title | Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment |
| title_full | Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment |
| title_fullStr | Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment |
| title_short | Cognitive Rehabilitation Improves Functional Vision Skills in Children with Cerebral Visual Impairment |
| title_sort | cognitive rehabilitation improves functional vision skills in children with cerebral visual impairment |
| topic | vision disorders therapy activities of daily living participation cognition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/590 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT zeynepcelikturan cognitiverehabilitationimprovesfunctionalvisionskillsinchildrenwithcerebralvisualimpairment AT esraaki cognitiverehabilitationimprovesfunctionalvisionskillsinchildrenwithcerebralvisualimpairment |