Spatial Attention, Awareness, and Ability Laboratory

Peii (Peggy) Chen, PhD, directs the Spatial Attention, Awareness, and Ability Laboratory, part of the Center for Stroke Rehabilitation Research at Kessler Foundation. Lab research scientists focus on studying the underlying mechanisms of various symptom presentations associated with spatial neglect. This neurological disorder often significantly affects critical spatial processing and attention orientation in persons after brain injuries, especially stroke. Many individuals with spatial neglect are unaware of their own symptoms or the consequences of their deficits, leading to delays in seeking appropriate treatment or learning compensatory strategies.

To address these challenges, lab scientists strive to strike a balance between scientific exploration and practical application. Their research encompasses a range of technologies and approaches, from low-tech prism adaptation treatment equipment to innovative virtual reality and mixed reality methods. Meanwhile, the lab team has helped to enhance the knowledge and improve the practice of clinicians worldwide with Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP^®), Prism Adaptation Treatment (KF-PAT^®), and Spatial Retraining Therapy (KF-SRT^®).