Hamstra, Marrit (2026) The Effect of External Versus Internal Focus of Attention on Visual Task Performance in Simulated Homonymous Hemianopia. Master thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Patients with homonymous hemianopia (HH) experience vision loss of one half of the visual field, resulting in difficulties in daily tasks and a reduced quality of life. Currently, rehabilitation strategies focus mainly on compensatory scanning training, with an internal focus (IF) of attention on eye movement. Literature on attention and motor control suggests that the adaptation of an external focus (EF) of attention (e.g. focus on the environment) might be more beneficial for motor learning. In this study we examined whether instructions with an EF resulted in better visual task performance compared to an IF. The visual performance task included a virtual supermarket environment - using virtual reality - in which healthy participants had to navigate and locate products while experiencing simulated HH. No significant differences were found between the IF group and EF group. However, the group that received the EF instructions had an overall faster completion time on the task, suggesting a trend toward a potentially beneficial role for EF on visual task performance. Although the effect was small, it emerged from a minimal manipulation consisting only of changes in instructional wording. The role of attentional focus may therefore become more pronounced during repeated or intensive visual rehabilitation training. This study was the first to examine the effect of attentional focus on visual task performance. Additional research is needed to replicate and validate our results in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of instruction type in visual rehabilitation.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Supervisor name: | Nieboer, W. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Apr 2026 08:07 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2026 08:07 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6376 |
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